Events

Second Chances Through Record Sealing

A practical CLE on expunctions and non-disclosures in Harris County

second chances

This training will guide attorneys through the process of handling expunctions and nondisclosures in Harris County, including what information to gather from clients as well as how to prepare filings, navigate local procedures, manage timelines, and move cases efficiently through the courts. Participants will learn practical tips, see sample pleadings, and gain insight into common pitfalls so that they may confidently add record-sealing work to their practice. Join us to build your skills, expand access to justice for Harris County residents, and learn how you can partner with HCPDO to help meet the growing need for pro bono record-sealing representation.

Speakers

Betsy Stukes serves as the Chief of the Holistic Division at the Harris County Public Defender's Office (HCPDO), where she leads a multidisciplinary team focused on client-centered advocacy and addressing the underlying challenges that impact individuals involved in the criminal legal system.

Betsy began her legal career in private practice as a criminal defense attorney before joining HCPDO in 2019. She defended clients in criminal court with the Felony Trial Division and later developed the office’s first parole practice within the Holistic Division. Betsy served as the Assistant Chief of the Holistic Division before becoming Division Chief in 2026.

Meghan Smolensky is an Assistant Public Defender with the Harris County Public Defender's Office, where she specializes in record-sealing matters including expunctions, nondisclosures, and juvenile record sealing. Prior to joining HCPDO, Meghan served as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and staff attorney with Lone Star Legal Aid's Disaster Relief Unit, where she represented disaster survivors in a wide range of civil legal matters. She also previously assisted with Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts through the Disaster Recovery Legal Corps. She earned her J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston in 2017 and holds a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University.