Expunge records, clear bench warrants and resolve outstanding fines in Joshua Tree on Feb. 11
The San Bernardino County Public Defenders Office is offering free legal services, record clearings and expungements, and County resources at an event this Wednesday (February 11) at the Joshua Tree Community Center. Early sign-ups have filled up for the event but they are still accepting walk-ins for services.
If you are anything like me, things can feel like they can get complicated quickly these days. Sometimes tasks that felt like they were simple just a few years ago now have layers of bureaucratic hurdles that must be leaped over before getting to the next one, and if any of those tasks put up a roadblock it can totally derail my momentum.
For example, flying now requires a REAL ID or a passport, which isn’t much of an issue if you’ve traveled internationally in the last few years or keep up on your DMV trips. My last license renewal upgraded my old and busted license with the REAL ID, and apart from a slightly different design it feels pretty indistinguishable from my old piece of plastic. However, to get that upgrade I had to go into the DMV before my license expired with an original birth certificate, make an appointment at the office in Twentynine Palms and physically drive out there during the work day. It took a few hours and some cash, but I got it done.
At any point something could have been a roadblock in the process: maybe I couldn’t find that birth certificate, or I don’t even have one anymore. Would I be able to get time off work, or even make it out to Twentynine Palms? Do I have the cash to pay for the renewal?
Even if I take care of all the logistics, I could still get to the DMV and find that there is something else preventing me from moving forward… some invisible ghost in the machine stopping my momentum.
For so many people that specter holding them back could be a past mistake that has marked their record and isn’t allowing them to easily move forward. A misdemeanor or an old bench warrant be the blocker that stops someone from getting identification, a job, or housing. Removing those marks on a record can take a whole new set of steps at the Joshua Tree courthouse with more paperwork and appointments.
Providing equitable access services for to rural residents
For the last couple of years the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s office has been providing residents in rural areas such as ours an easy way to take care of past indiscretions and move forward by providing free legal assistance and mobile court services through their Mobile Defense Program.
Their office has been providing record clearing expungement services remotely with judges hearing cases and considering requests to clear bench warrants, modify misdemeanor summary probations, and resolving outstanding fines — all without having to visit a courthouse.
The “Mobile Defender” team is the first of its kind in the county and the nation and they held their first event in Landers back in 2024.
Since then the team has held events all over San Bernardino County, helping residents in rural areas get past those small things that can sometimes trip us up on our journeys in life. This Wednesday, February 11th they will be setup at the Joshua Tree Community Center from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. and the event has grown well-beyond just record clearing.
San Bernardino Superior Court Self-Help will also be there to provide assistance with Family Law, Child Support, Guardianship, Landlord tenant issues and small claims matters.
There will also be multiple San Bernardino County departments providing access to services and resources:
- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center will be there with health services and resources.
- The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk can help you get vital records, document recording, business filings and property information
- Workforce Development can help you out with job resources and support
- The Department of Public Health and Behavioral Health will be on site to provide assistance with mental and physical health, substance use, dental care services, and screenings.
The popularity of the Mobile Defense program has continued to grow in San Bernardino County as the team has built trust with the community through their continued outreach. The event this Wednesday in Joshua Tree has closed their early registration, but they are still accepting walk-ins for community resources and record-clearing expungement services. Even if you don’t sign up beforehand, there will be dozens of people eager to help you and others with equitable access to services.
If you or someone you know could use some free legal support and access to community services – it’s all going to be happening in one place this Wednesday in Joshua Tree. Come down to 6171 Sunburst Avenue from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00. p.m.
