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Monterey County public defender's office to host bilingual Clean Slate and immigration session April 23
Summary
The Monterey County Public Defender’s Office will host a bilingual community information session on April 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Greenfield (599 El Camino Real) covering clean-slate record relief and immigration impacts; the county urged attendees to learn how particular criminal dispositions can affect immigration status.
The Monterey County Public Defender’s Office will hold a bilingual information session on April 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Greenfield’s council chambers, 599 El Camino Real, the office announced during an April 15 news briefing.
Michelle Woodin, an assistant public defender, said the Clean Slate and immigration overview will include presentations in English and Spanish followed by a bilingual question-and-answer period. "Through our clean slate and immigration overview, we're about breaking down those barriers and an opportunity for individuals to come in, ask questions, and receive accurate information in a setting that is welcoming, respectful, and focused on their needs," Woodin said.
Why it matters: Woodin said post-conviction relief can change outcomes for housing, employment and education; the public defender’s office reported helping secure relief in hundreds of cases in the prior year.
Alex Maris, the office’s immigration specialist, told listeners that some California court outcomes that lead to record clearance — for example, Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ) dispositions — can still count as convictions for immigration purposes. "Even though for the California court that matter has been dismissed, in immigration that still counts as a conviction," Maris said, emphasizing case-by-case assessments and individualized consultations.
Event logistics: The session will be half English and half Spanish, with bilingual answers to audience questions. For people unable to attend, speakers said the public defender’s office can be contacted and individual consultations arranged.
Provenance: announcement and details of the Clean Slate/immigration session (SEG 291–SEG 498).
Speakers quoted: Michelle Woodin (Assistant Public Defender); Alex Maris (Immigration Specialist).
