SEG Foundation to host 2025 expungement summit at Delta Center

SALT LAKE CITY — The Delta Center is home to a variety of sporting events and more. On Wednesday, though, it lent its doors to a slew of second chances. Destiny Garcia, executive director of Clean Slate Utah, remembers when the only job she could get was making $8 an hour, 10 hours a week. “This was close to my heart because I’m somebody who has gone through the expungement process,” Garcia said. Following expungement, the doors opened for her. “I’m a homeowner. My kid has a college savings. My future looks bright, and I’m really passionate about it,” Garcia said. With one in four people in Utah having a criminal record, Clean Slate legislation is projected to impact 540,000 records in Utah alone. [gallery columns="5" ids="729559,729558,729557,729556,729555"] More than 600 people are pre-registered to participate in the SEG Foundation’s Expungement Summit Wednesday where they'll learn about their own opportunities at a clean slate. According to the organization, Utah was the second state in the U.S. to enact clean slate legislation, which automatically expunges certain lower-level misdemeanor criminal records for eligible records. Garcia said this could include non-violent records such as drug charges, criminal trespass, misdemeanor DUIs and retail. "Four out of five landlords do a background screening when you go to apply for an apartment or a home, and nine out of 10 employers do a background check," Garcia said. According to her, expungement is the last step in the process of breaking down those barriers. "You don’t go commit a crime and then expunge your record. You have to be crime-free between three and 10 years in order to qualify for expungement," she said. "So, these individuals have really put in the work to change their life already." Ashely Smith, co-founder of Smith Entertainment Group, said one of the drivers for expungement includes a passion for youth in Utah. “There’s a ripple effect to being able to expunge your record and not have the past be in the way anymore," Smith said. "... I think the more people that know this is an option, the ripple effect is great and that is incredible for our state and our future, and everyone deserves a second chance." Garcia said Wednesday will be a first-step resource for those looking to get involved in the expungement process, which takes approximately 4 to 6 months. The summit will offer financial assistance to help those apply, and volunteer attorneys will be available to give legal advice after the event. The summit will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. and on-site registration will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Free parking will be available at the North Temple parking lot directly north of the Delta Center.

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