The Re-Entry Unit
The Re-Entry Unit was established under the leadership of Phyllis Aluko following her appointment as Chief Public Defender in 2019. The unit’s mission is to support formerly incarcerated and detained clients by addressing and reducing any barriers that could impede their progress toward a path to success and self-sufficiency. These barriers include the need for driver's license restoration, expungements and various other processes that make a return to society complicated and in many cases, impossible.
For more information or assistance, contact the Re-Entry Unit at (901) 222-2800 and ask for LaTonya Burrow.
Expungements
You can qualify for an expungement immediately upon the dismissal of your case or if your case is dropped. You can also have your record expunged if you’ve completed the necessary requirements of a diversion program. Under limited circumstances, some charges can be expunged after 5 years.
Restoration of Driving Privileges
Declared HMVO? Recently, the Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender law (“HMVO”) was repealed by Public Chapter 486.
If you were previously declared HMVO, you may be eligible to have that status lifted.
License Suspended? Your privilege to drive can be restored upon completion of reinstatement requirements.
License Cancelled? The Department of Safety terminated your driver’s license because of some error or defect(s) in the license or application, or because you are no longer entitled to a license. Contact the Tennessee Department of Safety.
License Revoked? Your privilege to drive is terminated, usually because of a driving-related conviction such as a DUI. Check your reinstatement letter for the revocation end date. Complete your reinstatement requirements and reapply for a new license.
Voting Rights Restoration
Eligibility: On or after May 18, 1981, all felony convictions in TN resulted in the loss of voting privileges. Click here for more information on eligibility requirements.
Procedure: Certain felonies are eligible for voting rights restoration and others are not. However, current law requires an applicant to have: completed his/her sentence; paid any restitution that may have been ordered by the judge; and fully paid any court costs assessed on the case unless the judge has waived the full payment of court cost requirement. The law also requires all applicants to be current on all owed child support payments.
For many people who are otherwise eligible, voting rights can be restored by filing a certificate of restoration with their local election commission. Voting rights may also be restored if a judge grants a petition to restore full rights of citizenship in circuit court.
