Expunge.IO

I was part of the original development team, tasked with building a digital solution that simplified the process, making it accessible and understandable to a younger audience who might not have the resources or legal knowledge to navigate the system.

The Challenge

The data was clear—thousands of young people in Cook County had criminal records that could be expunged, but very few were taking action. This was largely due to a couple of key barriers:

Complicated Process: The legal procedures for expunging a record were difficult to understand, especially for youth who had little or no legal experience.

Lack of Awareness: Many were simply unaware that they were eligible for expungement or how to begin the process.

Missed Opportunities: These unexpunged records were limiting young people’s ability to secure jobs, housing, and educational opportunities, effectively trapping them in a cycle of disenfranchisement.

Our goal was to create a user-friendly, educational tool that simplified the process and made it easy for youth to take control of their future by clearing their criminal records.

My Solution

As a core developer for Expunge.io, my focus was on creating an intuitive, mobile-friendly platform that guided users step-by-step through the expungement process.

User-Centered Design: Given the target audience, it was crucial to design a clean, simple interface that was easy to navigate, particularly on mobile devices. Many of the youth we were targeting primarily used mobile phones to access the internet. We used a clean design language, large buttons, and clear, accessible language to explain the steps.

Simplifying the Legal Process: One of the biggest challenges was distilling complex legal language into easy-to-understand terms. I worked closely with legal experts to break down the expungement process into simple, actionable steps. We included FAQs, a glossary of legal terms, and even built-in prompts to guide users based on their specific situation.

Automated Eligibility Check: I helped develop an automated questionnaire that allowed users to quickly determine whether they were eligible for expungement. Based on their responses, the tool provided tailored advice on the next steps.

Resource Integration: The platform didn’t just stop at explaining the process. We integrated local legal resources, including links to pro bono services, legal aid, and expungement clinics in Cook County to ensure users could get further help if needed.

The Results

Expunge.io quickly became a valuable tool in the fight to help young people reclaim their lives. Some key results included:

Increased Awareness: Expunge.io helped spread awareness about the availability of expungement, particularly among communities that were most affected by criminal records. Thousands of users visited the site, with many determining their eligibility through our questionnaire.

Simplified Process: The platform’s step-by-step guide and clear language significantly reduced confusion around the expungement process. Users reported feeling more confident in understanding what they needed to do.

Community Impact: While the site was active, it became an integral part of legal aid efforts in Cook County, serving as a go-to resource for youth, legal professionals, and community organizers working to help people clear their records.

Challenges & Lessons Learned

One challenge we encountered was ensuring that the platform could handle various legal nuances. Expungement laws can be complicated and change over time, so we had to design the platform to be adaptable. Additionally, while we helped many young people begin the process, we realized that follow-through—actually attending court dates or filing necessary paperwork—was another barrier that we couldn’t fully address online.

Conclusion
Expunge.io was more than just a digital resource; it was a bridge to opportunity for young people who might otherwise have been held back by their past. Although the platform is no longer live, the impact it made during its active period helped bring attention to the critical issue of expungement and its role in helping youth build better futures. It was an honor to play a part in empowering young people to clear their records and take the next steps toward personal and professional growth.