The Kern County Public Defender’s Office is launching a series of free holiday-themed expungement clinics, which will allow eligible Kern County residents to clear their criminal records, which the office says will remove barriers to opportunity.

A press release from the office said the first clinic, themed “Clean Out Those Skeletons,” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 28 at the Kern County Public Defender’s Office, 1315 Truxtun Ave. in Bakersfield.

“The goal is to make record clearing services more accessible to people who may otherwise believe the process is too expensive, too complicated, or out of reach,” the release said.

The holiday series will continue with a Thanksgiving-themed clinic, “Something to Be Thankful For: A Fresh Start,” followed by a December clinic, “Give Yourself the Gift of a Fresh Start.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance at life,” Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez said in the release. “These free expungement clinics give our neighbors a chance to hit the reset button. We will clear eligible records, remove barriers to jobs and housing, and help them build their American Dream, all while making the community safer.”

Delano Mayor Salvador Solorio Ruiz also expressed support in the release.

“Expungement events like this give people a meaningful opportunity to move forward,” Ruiz said. “When someone has served their time and is eligible for a fresh start, clearing their record can open doors to employment, housing and greater stability.”

The clinic series is being organized and coordinated by Kern County Deputy Public Defender’s attorney Claire Jenkins and Senior Investigator Johanna Romero, a post-Bar law student.

“By partnering directly with our community, we’re paving the way for a holistic approach to defense that better serves everyone,” Romero said in the release.

In the release Jenkins said the clinics are also about reminding clients that their past does not have to determine what comes next.

“We want to show our clients that a criminal conviction doesn’t define your future,” Jenkins said.