HOUSTON — The Fresh Start Record Screening and Sealing program will return to Harris County next month, offering eligible residents a chance to clear qualifying criminal records and reduce barriers to jobs, housing, and education, according to Harris County Criminal Courts at Law.
The program is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Online registration for record screening opens at noon on Monday, August 3, at www.ccl.hctx.net/FreshStart.htm.
According to organizers, free screening is available to adults with a Harris County criminal record, though eligibility for record sealing itself is determined by state law, and eligible participants must also meet income requirements to qualify for sealing services.
Demand for the program has continued to grow, with organizers reporting thousands of people competing for a limited number of available slots each cycle, and registration historically filling within minutes of opening. Participants are encouraged to review the program’s updated Registration Tutorial ahead of time to prepare for the sign-up process.
Harris County Criminal Courts at Law Presiding Judge Ashley Guice said record sealing gives community members a chance to move past past mistakes and open doors that had previously been closed. Guice said that when people are able to move forward, they are less likely to reenter the criminal justice system, a outcome she said benefits the broader community.
According to Harris County officials, the program launched in April 2022 as a second-chance initiative designed to help people rebuild after contact with the criminal justice system by sealing eligible criminal records and connecting participants to community resources. Officials said the program is intended to help people meet basic needs, reduce recidivism, and improve neighborhood safety as a result.
Organizers also highlighted several additional resources available in August alongside the Fresh Start event. Harris County Public Health’s ACCESS Harris County program offers registration for assistance related to education, food security, job placement, counseling, peer support, healthcare and insurance, housing, and transportation. South Texas College of Law’s Legal Clinics allow residents to apply and determine eligibility for assistance with civil legal matters. The Consulate General of Mexico in Houston offers support for Mexican citizens needing legal documents or services. The Harris County Office of Managed Assigned Counsel provides information on legal rights and available resources.
Fresh Start is hosted by BAYOU City Community Court, the community outreach arm of the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law, in partnership with the Harris County Public Defender’s Office, Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, Harris County State District Criminal Courts, and Harris County Constable Precinct One.
For more information or to register, visit www.ccl.hctx.net/FreshStart.htm.
