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Criminal Expungement - Volunteer Lawyers Network

600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 390A, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Eligibility

Open to all residents of Minnesota needing legal services who meet income requirements; households up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Out of state clients with criminal cases in Minnesota may be eligible for advice.

Required documents
- If possible, obtain copies of court records and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) records ahead of time - To obtain criminal records from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, visit https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/criminal-history-search.aspx - To obtain court records from the Minnesota Court Informational Systems (MNCIS), go to any state courthouse and request records or visit website, www.mncourts.gov/caserecords. Must physically be at the courthouse when requesting records to receive complete records history. Requesting court records via the website from a location other than the courthouse will not yield complete records. If unable to pay fee, obtain the Case Records Search Results information listing all cases and case numbers. There is a $10 fee for each record - For expungement filing information, visit http://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Criminal-Expungement.aspx
Hours

10 am - 1 pm Monday - Thursday

Interpretation services

Spanish; Interpreters available for all languages

Application process
- Call for intake screening - Can select option to continue in Spanish, to be connected to Spanish-speaking staff - Online Intake Form available at http://www.vlnmn.org/intake/
Fees

None except for form and records; $8 fee for BCA request form; $10 fee for each criminal record

Service area

MN

Other Information

Languages

Spanish

- Full representation, assisted pro se (brief services-forms completion) and legal advice on expunging criminal records - Assisted pro se services consist of a workshop where a paralegal and attorney draft the petition and filing materials for the client. The workshop staff takes care of the services and paperwork. - Full representation and assisted pro se: Clients must be screened by an attorney, usually by attending a seminar in the metro area

Last Assured

09/23/2025

Providing organization

Volunteer Lawyers Network

Volunteer-based nonprofit that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals. Services provided range from free legal advice to free full representation, depending on eligibility and issue type. VLN does not handle any cases in which an attorney may recover fees, including contingency fees, business transactions, business litigation, employment discrimination, government benefits, wills and probate, workers' compensation, or criminal matters.