HOW TO APPLY

STEP 1: cHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Step 2: apply for assistance

Durham County residents can apply for assistance from the DEAR program during the first full week of each month. To apply, residents can submit an online application through the JusticeHub, Legal Aid’s online application portal or call the Helpline (866-219-5262). Additionally, on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7p, Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church hosts an expunction education workshop followed by in-person intake.

The program is provided free of charge by the City of Durham.

Eligibility Guidelines. 

We know it can be complicated, so if you are not sure, come meet with us.

for expungements

In general, you may be eligible if any of the following are true:

• You have dismissed or not guilty charge.

• You have one eligible felony conviction and at least 10 years have passed from the end of your sentence OR you have  two or three eligible felony convictions and 20 years have passed from the end of your sentence and you have no other criminal, non-traffic misdemeanor convictions in the last five years.

• You have one eligible misdemeanor conviction and at least 3 years have passed since your conviction date OR you have multiple eligible misdemeanor convictions and 7 years have passed since the end of your last sentence.

• You have misdemeanor or class H or I felony convictions (except for misdemeanor sexual battery) for offenses that were committed when you were 16 or 17 years old and before Dec. 1, 2019.

For Driver license restoration

DEAR may be able to assist if you are a Durham resident and your North Carolina driver’s license is suspended. At minimum, we can obtain a copy of your NC driving record and tell you what is currently suspending your license.

For Certificates of Relief

• You have three or fewer Class H or I felony convictions or any number of misdemeanor convictions.

• You are not in violation of any criminal sentence, or violation is justified, excused, involuntary, or insubstantial.

• You have no pending criminal charges.

• It has been at least 12 months since the completion of your sentence.