Professor Tanya Cooper and Pepperdine Caruso Law Restoration and Justice Clinic Contribute to California Criminal Vacatur Practice Guide

Professor Tanya Asim Cooper and the Pepperdine Caruso Law Restoration and Justice Clinic have contributed to the California Criminal Vacatur Practice Guide: A Guide to Helping Survivors of Human Trafficking, Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence Clear Criminal Records Related to their Victimization. Published by Free to Thrive, the practice guide is intended to serve as a resource for attorneys representing survivors in vacatur petitions, prosecutors, judges, court staff, and survivors entitled to this relief. Despite the fact that California’s vacatur law went into effect in 2017, it is still relatively novel and often unknown by key stakeholders.

The Restoration and Justice Clinic has been representing victims of sex trafficking seeking to vacate (expunge and seal) their criminal records since 2016. The Restoration and Justice Clinic has collaborated with Free to Thrive on individual cases and systemic advocacy for victims of human trafficking throughout California. 

The guide may be found at California Criminal Vacatur Practice Guide

Learn more about the clinic at Restoration and Justice Clinic