Montgomery, Alabama, finally expunged the juvenile record of Claudette Colvin in a decision that was very long overdue. In 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks made headlines, Colvin was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a bus. At the young age of 15, Colvin resisted arrest and was charged with violating Montgomery's segregation ordinance and assaulting an officer.
Montgomery, Alabama, finally expunged the juvenile record of Claudette Colvin in a decision that was very long overdue. In 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks made headlines, Colvin was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a bus. At the young age of 15, Colvin resisted arrest and was charged with violating Montgomery's segregation ordinance and assaulting an officer. It took 66 years for her record to formally be expunged.
Colvin stated that her arrest was overshadowed by Parks' arrest due to Parks' image. Colvin says that Parks' lighter skin and older age made her more "acceptable to a white" community, which resulted in more media coverage and support. Although the Supreme Court ordered Montgomery to end bus segregation, Colvin's probation never officially ended, and she waited decades before courts officially destroyed all records. Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey describes Colvin's actions as "conscientious, not criminal; inspired, not illegal; they should have led to praise and not prosecution." Now, at the age of 82, Colvin's juvenile record has finally been destroyed, and Alabama's wrongdoings are being exposed to the public, something that should have occurred 66 years ago.Colvin adds:
"When I think about why I'm seeking to have my name cleared by the state, it is because I believe if that happened it would show the generation growing up now that progress is possible and things do get better. It will inspire them to make the world better."
Progress requires action. If your criminal record is placing limits on your life, Easy Expunctions is here to help. For more information about a simple and affordable record-clearing process, contact our friendly professionals at (866) 775-9983 or visit our website at EasyExpunctions.com.