How Clean Slate Utah is Transforming Lives Through Expungement

Pictured above: Clean Slate Utah staff (Left to Right): Molly Whimpey, Charlotte Waterbury, Destiny Garcia, and Efrén Corado García. Photo provided by Clean Slate Utah.

For one in four Utahns, an old arrest or conviction record stands in the way of opportunities that many take for granted — like stable employment, safe housing, and financial security. But thanks to Clean Slate efforts, more people than ever are getting their records cleared and moving forward with a fresh start.

At the end of January, the Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) Foundation hosted the 2025 Utah Expungement Summit at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, in collaboration with the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, Clean Slate Utah, and Rasa. It was a groundbreaking event that demonstrated the power of collaboration, advocacy, and community-driven support. This year’s summit shattered records, reaching more people than ever before and laying the groundwork for even greater impact in the year ahead.

The numbers from this year’s summit speak for themselves:

• Over 2,300 people registered;
• 1,059 people were eligible to clear at least one record;
• 861 attendees received direct support at the event; and
• Through sponsorships, Rasa Legal helped provide free legal representation for 415 cases to complete record clearance at the event.

Additionally, Clean Slate Utah helped 387 people start their expungement process and helped 250 people access record clearance through the state’s form process — a measure that allows people who are eligible under the Clean Slate law to still receive automated clearance during the state’s pause period.

These numbers represent real lives changed — people who will now have access to better job opportunities, stable housing, and a future free from the weight of their past. That kind of impact was only made possible by the incredible support we received from a powerful coalition of partners and volunteers:

• Nearly 100 attorneys donated their time to guide Utahns through the expungement process.
• 60+ community organizations attended, offering free resources and support — including job recruitment opportunities for event attendees.
• Elected officials, including Utah State Rep. Tyler Clancy, showed up and spoke about the power of a second chance, emphasizing the impact it has on both individuals and the community.
• The SEG Foundation donated two free Utah Jazz or Utah Hockey Club tickets to every attendee to celebrate this important milestone in their lives.

While the 2025 summit was a major milestone, Clean Slate Utah isn’t slowing down. The incredible turnout at the 2025 summit shows the great need for record relief in Utah.  We know the best way to meet that need is through Clean Slate automated expungement.  Our work continues with a focus on education, protecting our state’s Clean Slate law, spreading the word, and continuing to offer expungement clinics throughout the state. In 2025, we aim to:

• Advocate to protect Clean Slate laws and ensure they remain in place after the state’s pause period.
• Educate Utahns on how to navigate the new automatic clearance request process and the barriers that still exist.
• Fight for fair policies to ensure new expungement bills don’t create additional burdens for those seeking a fresh start.
• Host three smaller expungement clinics to serve rural communities with limited access.
• Share the stories of people impacted by Clean Slate through a mini-video series highlighting how record clearance has changed lives.

With continued advocacy, education, and community support, Clean Slate Utah is ensuring that more Utahns will have the opportunity to move forward, rebuild their lives, and contribute fully to their communities.

Stay connected with the work in Utah by visiting Clean Slate Utah’s website.