Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Mysti Lopez benefited from expungement, gaining a second chance at life.
- The SEG Expungement Summit aims to help Utahns clear criminal records, with support from Ryan Smith.
- The event offers free legal assistance and resources.
SALT LAKE CITY — Mysti Lopez just wanted to do what all the other parents do at her children's school: help on field trips, attend events, see her children succeeding in school.
But, as a convicted felon since she was 18, Lopez was prohibited from doing anything at her children's school. She was, in essence, prevented from being a regular mother to her kids.
Until, that is, she got the felony on her criminal expunged, or removed, allowing her to start a new life she always wanted.
"Getting (my record cleared) gave me a second chance at life," Lopez said. "The record had been the biggest barrier to me moving forward. Now, I tell everybody about doing this because it really helps you move toward the life you want."
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Lopez's friends and family, along with anyone else she may have told, can take a step toward a better life at the Smith Entertainment Group Expungement Summit Center at the Delta Center.
Information on the SEG Expungement Summit:
Where: The Delta Center, 301 S. Temple, Salt Lake City.
When: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2-7 p.m.
Who is invited: Anyone wishing to know if a criminal record can be expunged and those wishing to do any expungement or removal of criminal records.
Free parking: The North Temple Parking lot (112 N. 400 West, Salt Lake City) located directly north of Delta Center.
More: Everyone who attends the summit will receive two tickets to attend a future Utah Jazz or Utah Hockey Club game.
Pre-register: rasa-legal.com/events.
Local criminal justice advocates report that 1 in 4 adults in Utah have a criminal record, and 50% of students in Utah's public schools have a least one parent with a criminal record. These Utahns are often prohibited from getting the housing they need or a higher-paying job because of a misdemeanor or felony conviction they received years ago, advocates state.
As such, advocates at Clean Slate Utah and Rasa Legal work toward getting some criminal records — misdemeanors and nonviolent, lower class felonies — expunged from their criminal record from the state's court system. This would give 25% of Utahns the chance to live the life they want.
They have an advocate in Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz, the Delta Center, the Utah Hockey Club and more, to get this done.
"The summit this year is from Ryan," said Destiny Garcia, the executive director of Clean Slate Utah. "We had a summit two years ago with NBA All-Star activities, and he was there. He was really moved and wanted to do another event this year at the Delta Center. He really has been amazing to work with."
The summit is hosted by Smith by way of SEG — owners of the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club, as well as other business enterprises — in conjunction with the National Basketball Association's Social Justice League, Rasa Legal and Clean Slate Utah. The summit is intended to assist those who want to know if what is on their criminal record can be removed and how to go through the process of making that happen.
Everyone who attends the summit will also receive two tickets to a future Utah Jazz or Utah Hockey Club game.
Close to 70 volunteer lawyers will be on hand to begin the expungement process for free, a process that can cost up to $1,000 or more for some without the pro bono assistance.
There will also be a community fair at the Delta Center, where attendees can learn more about housing, available jobs and other needs that can be taken care of as the expungement process begins.
In 2023, 400-plus people attended the summit, and more than 100 got their records expunged. This year, more than 600 people have registered for the event. Walk-ins can attend only if space and time permit, so pre-registration is highly recommended.
Organizers say they're also aware that some residents may not agree with the process of expungement, but, for one, the Clean Slate law allows removal of lower level crimes from a record and, two, chances are you also have made mistakes in your life, they just did not have to be public, organizers say.
"We all make mistakes ... it's easy to judge ... but our criminal justice system can punish you for years and years after what happened. (A criminal record) can follow you around for years," saod Noella Sudbury, CEO and founder of an agency that assists Utahns with expunging their records. "(Expungement) allows people to start fresh and have the opportunity to have the life they want."
