Hundreds of people came out today for the Expungement Expo.
Anaczia Justice is a young woman who attended, she is trying to provide a better life for her and her daughter.
Justice tells us, “I was the 35th person in line so I was very thankful and grateful.”.
She has lived in Tulsa since she was five, and never imagined one mistake would affect her entire life.
“I got in trouble when I was 18 years old", Justice said, "I was home from OSU, and I wasn’t supposed to be down here.”
When she was pulled over by police, she gave the officer her nickname.
When he couldn't find her in the system, that's when things changed quickly.
“He told me to step out of the car, I did I was scared", Justice said, "I was like what’s going on, he was like. Since you lied to me about your name, we are going to take you in and you’re going to spend the night with us.”
Justice says that night she was charged for misrepresentation to a police officer, since then she's struggled with getting a better job.
“It’s hard when you can’t get that job that you pray for", Justice said, "You look at your little girl and she doesn’t know a thing.”
The Expungement Expo allowed people like Anaczia to possibly get their records sealed.
Giving them the opportunity to apply for better jobs, better educational opportunities, and more.
Vanessa Hall Harper is the District One City Counselor, she tells us, “I literally have people walking up to me in tears saying ‘I attended you expungement expo and it changed my life’. The first time that happened, yes it was very emotional for me.”
Harper calls this a Hope Porject, giving people a second chance at a better life.
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