By SALINA POST
A driver's license restoration and expungement clinic will be held in Salina on Wednesday, October 9, at 120 West Ash Street. The clinic, organized by Kansas Legal Services, will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and aims to assist residents in reinstating their driver's licenses and applying for expungements.
Saline County currently has more than 1,600 suspended driver’s licenses, and the clinic will offer support to individuals seeking to restore their driving privileges. In addition to license restoration, more than 50 local residents are expected to apply for expungements, which can clear past criminal records, helping individuals move forward with their lives.
Matt Keenan, executive director of Kansas Legal Services, said approximately 220,000 Kansans have suspended licenses due to missed court dates or unpaid fines.
"These are called poverty fines. It's basically fines that hit the poor and make it difficult for them to get ahead," Keenan said. "If someone misses a court date for a traffic ticket, their license is suspended and remains suspended until they go back to court, pay the fine, and get it reinstated. However, with Kansas having over 620 cities, each with its own court system, rules, and judges, individuals often have to appear in person, making the process of restoring a driver's license time-consuming and difficult."
During the last Kansas Legislative Session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 500, signed by Gov. Laura Kelly, which reforms Kansas’ approach to unpaid traffic fines by allowing courts to issue restricted licenses instead of suspending them, enabling individuals to drive to work, school, and church while making payments.
Senate Bill 500, effective January 1, 2025, caps license reinstatement fees at $100 and allows courts to reduce or waive costs for those facing financial hardship. It also requires consideration of alternatives like community service and limits penalties for offenses older than five years.
The bipartisan bill aims to help Kansans maintain their livelihoods while resolving their legal obligations.
Keenan said Kansas Legal Services held its first clinic back in January and aims to hold additional clinics across the state for years into the future. The organization secured a grant for this initiative and is now bringing the clinic to Salina.
Kansas Legal Services will bring in approximately 10 attorneys, including some local legal professionals, to assist participants throughout the day. The clinic is expected to provide a vital service to those affected by license suspensions and past criminal records, offering legal assistance that may otherwise be inaccessible or unaffordable.
Pre-registration is required for those looking to participate. Interested individuals can register by emailing [email protected] or calling 316-267-3975. Participants are advised to bring an ID, current insurance card if they have it, any documents from the courts or the state about their traffic issues.
If you are an attorney or a law student and want to volunteer, you can sign up at https://klsprobono.org/ and state the clinic you wish to join. We will have CLE trainings for each clinic. Training information will be provided after volunteers sign up.