In a coordinated effort to give residents a second chance, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office is partnering with Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Montgomery County Legal Aid and the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office to host a free expungement clinic on Saturday, May 17, in Rockville.
The clinic will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, located at 608 N. Horners Lane. Legal representatives and attorneys will be on-site to help residents determine whether they qualify for expungement and, if eligible, assist them in filing the necessary paperwork.
“This is an opportunity for eligible residents to start fresh by removing certain offenses from their criminal records,” said a spokesperson for the State’s Attorney’s Office. “It’s about improving lives, opening doors, and restoring opportunities.”
Expungement may be available to individuals whose charges were dismissed or who completed their sentence—including parole, probation or supervised release—at least five years ago, in accordance with Maryland Criminal Procedure Article, Section 10-110.
Some offenses eligible for expungement after the required time period include:
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Possession of a controlled dangerous substance
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Possession of drug paraphernalia
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Fourth-degree burglary
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Breaking and entering a motor vehicle
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Malicious destruction of property
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General theft-related charges
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Disturbing the peace
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Trespassing on posted property
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Illegal dumping
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Failure to return a rental vehicle
Not all cases are eligible. Individuals with pending, unresolved, or outstanding charges do not qualify. Attendees are encouraged to bring all relevant paperwork, including case numbers, to help streamline the process.
An assistant state’s attorney will be available on-site to conditionally approve expungement requests, helping reduce a process that often takes months to just a few hours.
Pre-registration is encouraged. Interested individuals should RSVP by email at cesj@mtcbc.org or by phone at 301-424-8717, ext 112.
For eligible participants, the event offers a meaningful opportunity to move forward, clear their record, and leave past mistakes behind.
