County of Monterey holds Clean Slate Day for people with criminal records integrating back into society

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) - The County of Monterey held a workshop, Clean Slate Day, for people with past criminal records who are navigating their way back into society and trying to find a job.

The Clean Slate Program clears up criminal records so that people can pass background checks for employment.

This only applies to people who have completed their full sentence.

Hundreds of people walked out of the Monterey County’s courthouse with a weight lifted off their shoulders on Friday.

Many like Vantasa Dennis were carrying the burden of past mistakes but chose to come to clean slate day to not let those mistakes define her.

"I have a high-speed chase, a fleeing in evading. I have anxiety and, didn't want to be pulled over by the officer, and I was told that anything could be erased on my record in California. Except that," said Dennis.

Now she hopes after walking out, she will be able to qualify for more housing opportunities.

"I want to live in the most beautiful place, so I'm hoping that they can, expunge anything on my record that's not on my record and can place things that could be on my record that will let me be a better candidate for the community," Dennis said.

The Clean Slate Program clears up criminal records so that people can pass background checks for employment, housing, and other opportunities.

After the event Friday, Ronnie tells me he hopes to secure an apartment.

"I just missed recently, missed out on the opportunity for a few apartments due to my, past convictions. So, this accident helped me out a lot. So, the next time an opportunity presents itself, I have a clean slate," said Ronnie Johnson who lives in Monterey.

The event started at 9 a.m., but lines of over 100 people formed before 8:30 a.m.

For Earl, waiting a couple of hours in line was worth clearing the criminal record hes had for over 20 years.

"I have a criminal background, which, you know, stands way back. And so back in 2000, two, 2003, I got clean and sober and started a business, and here we are in 2024. And I feel like I deserve it," said Earl Deal who lives in Monterey County.

Michelle was one of the 14 people helping with intakes. She says she had positive experiences with the dozens of individuals she helped and encourages anyone to come get a clean slate.

"To be able to assist individuals to say that mistake no longer has to define make that mistake is no longer a life sentence for me, brings kind of chills to me and is pretty emotional because individuals do deserve second chances," said Michelle Wouden, Chief Deputy Public Defender.

People walked out of the county courthouse on Friday feeling like they finally closed a dark chapter in their lives.

This workshop only applies to people who have completed their full sentence.

If you missed the workshop today you can walk into the public defenders’ office during the week for an intake from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

It typically takes about 20 minutes for each intake.

To be eligible for clean slate services, one must have suffered an arrest or conviction in Monterey County, no longer be on any type of court supervision and have no pending criminal charges.

For more information, call 831-755-5058 or email cleanslate@co.monterey.ca.us.