Urban League Of Greater Oklahoma City To Host Second Expungement Event

Getting a criminal record expunged can open up a world of possibilities. This weekend, the Urban League is opening the door for second chances. 

When someone has their criminal record expunged, it means their record is completely removed or erased. 

“This event offers a free opportunity to go through a process, with the help of pro-bono attorneys, and get your records expunged,” Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City vice president of community convening and social justice Jabar Shumate said.

Urban League of Greater OKC held its first expungement event last year, which far exceeded the organizer’s expectations.

“Last year, we had 800 people here to look at their past criminal records, and we help people for free,” Shumate said.

“It is going to be a lot of people because, when I got here, the line was wrapped around the building three times,” said Tiffany Mason, who attended last year’s event. 

Mason said her past was really holding her back. 

“Caught this felony back in 1994, and it’s been following me for the last 20 years,” Mason said. 

She attended last year’s expungement event. If you decide to begin the expungement process, Mason said to be ready to put in some serious work. 

“Because you have to through OSBI (the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation) You have to go through FBI. You have to go through the courts. You have to go through judges,” Mason said. “It’s so much.”

After about four months of work, she was able to have her record expunged.

“I’m on the road to buying a house,” Mason said. “I just applied for my passport, and I got a pharmacy technician license.”

The league said 125 volunteers and more than 25 organizations will be ready to help get the process started. 

“Saturday is the beginning of the process, and then our pro-bono attorneys will help all of our clients that come through,” Shumate said. “Everyone might not get an expungement, but at least you’ll know where your record is.” 

The expungement event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City located on the 3900 block of North Martin Luther King Avenue.

The event is primarily a drive-thru event with limited inside access to computers. Pre-registration will be key.

For registration and more information on the event, click here.