According to Howard Gentry, Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk, far too many Nashvillians that have satisfied their obligations (fines, payments or sentences) to the Criminal Court may face difficulty getting employment, loans, and other hardships due to a criminal record.

Gentry asserts that few people are aware that certain “qualified” persons can have their criminal records may be legally “expunged” from public records.

“If you have a criminal record your ability to get employment, housing, and possibly education can be hampered by the public record that exists regarding your case,” said Gentry in a release.  “The Metro Nashville Criminal Court Clerk Expungement Service offers residents with criminal histories, the opportunity to have information about arrests, convictions and sentences deleted form Davidson County public records. There are specific qualifications that the petitioner must meet to be approved for the expungement of their records.”

Gentry recommends contacting the Nashville Criminal Court Clerk’s office at 615-862-5601 or go to <ccc.nashville.gov> and click the ‘Services’ tab for further information or to see if you qualify.