Login | October 28, 2025
Common Pleas Court to hold expungement filing event
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 3, 2025
Individuals with previous convictions in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas who believe they qualify to have their records sealed or expunged are encouraged to register for the upcoming Oct. 10 Expungement Filing Day event at the courthouse.
A partnership between the Summit Legal Defenders Office, the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, the Summit County Clerk of Courts and the Common Pleas Court, the event is an opportunity for those who have completed their sentences, including any financial requirements, to eliminate barriers to employment and housing.
“Ohio Senate Bill 288, which took effect in April 2023 changed the law regarding what type of offenses qualify to be expunged or sealed as well as offering new guidance about waiting periods,” said Summit County Clerk of Courts Tavia Galonski.
“Individuals who committed violent crimes and some domestic violence convictions are still ineligible to have their records expunged or sealed,” said Galonski. “But for many people this will make it easier for them to be productive members of their communities.
“I was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives when this bill was signed and I am very proud to have been a part of the process, as I do believe in restorative justice.”
Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said the event is designed to give individuals who are “doing all the right things” a helping hand as they seek to turn their lives around.
“As a prosecutor, I am often focused on the mistakes that people make,” said Kolkovich. “This is a chance to help folks with lower-level convictions, who have done everything that our justice system has asked of them, get a clean slate.
“Small mistakes from the past shouldn’t effect an individual’s ability to get a job or housing forever,” said Kolkovich. “This expungement event is part of my ongoing commitment to give deserving offenders in Summit County a second chance.”
This year it will take place at the Summit County Courthouse inside Judge Joy Malek Oldfield’s courtroom.
Those who turn out will be able to meet with a public defender, who can answer any questions they may have, and if they qualify to have their records expunged or sealed walk them through the process.
“I commend the Summit Legal Defenders for establishing the clean slate program and I’m proud they’re holding it in my courtroom on Oct. 10,” said Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Joy Malek Oldfield, who serves as presiding judge of the Turning Point Program. “This program is a wonderful partnership with Summit Legal Defenders, our Common Pleas Court, the Summit County Prosecutor’s office and the Clerk of Courts to help folks remove obstacles from their past that have been holding them back.
“This will help them with better housing, education and employment opportunities, which means a stronger community for everyone.”
This is the second time such an event has been held. Last year, 165 people turned out, including those looking to get their driver’s licenses reinstated.
“We were overwhelmed by the numbers,” said Galonski. “It was held at the courthouse but not in a designated courtroom. We changed it to a designated courtroom so that we would have a more clearly defined space to hold the event. We wanted a better place to manage the crowd.”
While registration is not required, officials are advising people to pre-register to allow legal professionals to get an idea of applicants’ backgrounds to determine if they qualify and ensure there are enough public defenders to assist everyone.
A $50 fee is required to process all expungements, but the fee may be waived based on income.
The Oct. 10 event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Judge Oldfield’s courtroom. To pre-register, visit https://forms.office.com/g/sh1JnuSpnj.