Rasa Legal: Clearing Records, Changing Lives

One in three Americans has a criminal record, which can follow an individual throughout their life, preventing them from accessing housing, getting a job or advancing in their career.

Thankfully, most states have a legal way to clear past criminal charges, by allowing individuals who have remained crime-free to expunge their records and pass a background check. However, the legal system can be challenging to navigate, not to mention costly, with traditional attorneys charging between $1,500 and $3,000 per record for expungement.

“Why can’t we use the same digital records to create opportunities for people?”

Who is Rasa Legal?

Rasa Legal is a mission-driven organization that has demystified the expungement process and built technology to streamline the legal work, all while minimizing costs. As an innovative, technology-forward law firm based in Utah, Rasa Legal has built software to efficiently analyze your records to determine eligibility for expungement or offense reduction. You can then use that info to hire Rasa Legal’s team for full legal representation and case management. Determining eligibility costs only $15, and the expungement process starts at just $250 per case.

“If companies can complete criminal background checks to deny individuals opportunities, why can’t we use the same digital records to create opportunities for people?” says Noella Sudbury, J.D., the founder and CEO of Rasa Legal.

Noella Sudbury’s Vision for Justice Reform

Sudbury was exposed to poverty in her extended family and became passionate about understanding the causes and solutions to inequality. After finishing law school, she practiced as a public defender and later served as Senior Policy Advisor for Salt Lake County, working in criminal justice and system policy change to improve laws surrounding criminal record clearance. “I would see my clients work hard to redeem themselves, remain crime free and try to live better their lives, only to be blocked from new opportunities because of an old charge,” Sudbury says.

“By allowing for record clearance, we improve people’s right to work, make a livable wage and access housing.”

Sudbury has worked with lawmakers in over a dozen states on criminal record policy and legislation. “These reforms are backed with bipartisan support. By allowing for record clearance, we improve people’s right to work, make a livable wage and access housing. People don’t have to only rely on public assistance when we give them more opportunities,” she says.

Helping People Through Expungement Clinics

While working for Salt Lake County, Sudbury hosted an expungement clinic. Public defenders, judges and policymakers in attendance were shocked by the turnout. Nearly 1,000 people arrived with hopes of clearing their record. “Many came with their children in hand. It was a chance for policymakers to meet individuals and learn why they wanted to clear their criminal record,” Sudbury says. “Many grew up in poverty or were exposed to addiction or abuse and wanted to build a better future for their children.”

Making Expungement Accessible Through Technology

“Realizing the high demand, I wanted to provide this service for as many people as possible. I saw the path to do that, at scale, was technology,” Sudbury says. “The expungement process is difficult even for a lawyer to navigate; imagine how hard it may be for someone with only a high school education.” Most individuals cannot easily access their records or remember the details surrounding their charges. With Rasa Legal’s digital services, gathering that information can be done in just a few minutes. “We’re democratizing the law, putting it into the hands of the people and making the justice system accessible,” she says.

“We’re democratizing the law, putting it into the hands of the people and making the justice system accessible.”

Creating Opportunities Beyond Record Clearance

Rasa Legal also connects clients to new opportunities. “During our intake, we ask what you want in life. While you are getting your record expunged, we try to connect you to resources like health insurance, fair chance employment opportunities and scholarships for those interested in higher education,” Sudbury says. “One of our clients wanted to become a public defender after clearing his records, and now he’s finishing his first year of law school.” People can go from homelessness to homeownership, or from struggling financially to providing for their family. “What we offer our clients is not just legal services, but the ability to dream,” Sudbury says.

Expanding Rasa Legal’s Impact Nationwide

Rasa Legal has helped over 24,000 people check their eligibility for record clearance and has successfully expunged more than 5,000 records — more than many traditional lawyers will clear in their lifetime. Rasa Legal recently opened their digital platform in Arizona and will soon open in Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit rasa-legal.com/slug-nov-25 for a free eligibility check — normally $15 but currently free for SLUG Magazine readers.

Read more stories about Utah lawyers enacting positive change:
Roe: States Rights, Enter Stage Left
Cueva Law Firm: A Story of Success