On Juneteenth, Legal Advocates Partner to Offer Expungement Clinic at American Dream Mall
June 19, 2025, 5:41 pm | in
On Juneteenth, Legal Advocates Partner to Offer Expungement Clinic at American Dream Mall
Free Legal Services Will Give Walk-ins a Second Chance to Clear Their Records
New Jersey - On Thursday, June 19th, a coalition of justice-centered organizations will host a free Juneteenth Expungement Clinic at American Dream, the region’s largest mall, to provide New Jersey residents free legal advice and a chance at clearing their criminal records.
The event, held from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Angry Birds Conference Room (next to Angry Birds Mini Golf), offers attendees access to legal professionals who will assist with expungement eligibility screenings, application preparation, and additional guidance as needed. No appointments are necessary, though pre-registration is encouraged at https://bit.ly/JuneteenthClinic.
“Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, but for too many people, the weight of a criminal record still keeps opportunity out of reach," said James Gee, founder Stono Public Affairs. "This clinic is about giving people a real second chance, with dignity, support, and the legal tools they may not know they’re entitled to.”
“Our laws allow for second chances but too often, access to justice depends on who you are or where you live," said New Jersey Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti. "We’re here to change that. This clinic puts power back in people’s hands and helps them unlock opportunities that a record might have unjustly denied.”
“Hosting this expungement clinic on Juneteenth, in a place as visible and accessible as the American Dream mall, sends a powerful message," said Daniel Lombardo, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. "Our communities deserve to heal, to grow, and to be supported. This is about breaking cycles and restoring futures.”
“A criminal record shouldn’t be a life sentence to poverty or exclusion," said Jorge Vasquez of Vasquez, Attorneys at Law P.C. "By helping people navigate expungement, we’re removing barriers to jobs, housing, and dignity and to us, that’s what real justice looks like.”
Event Details: WHEN: Thursday, June 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM WHERE: Angry Birds Conference Room (next to Angry Birds Mini Golf)
American Dream Mall, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ WHO: Hosted by Stono Public Affairs, New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley & Vasquez, Attorneys at Law P.C.
A court-ordered expungement can remove arrest records, convictions, court proceedings, and sentencing history from public access. This clinic may be the first step toward a clean slate for hundreds of individuals, restoring access to jobs, housing, and stability.
