How can you tell if someone has a criminal record? Statistically, it is more common than you might think. 1 in 3 Americans have some type of criminal record.
While it is difficult to tell who among us has records, unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it stays hidden. In a digital age, criminal records are just a background check away from excluding people from opportunities, holding people back years after their involvement in the justice system.
But what if there was a way to change that?
That’s where Noella Sudbury, CEO and founder of Rasa, comes in. In her inspiring TEDx talk, she shares how technology and innovation can transform legal services and unlock second chances for millions of people across the country.
The Vision Behind Rasa
Noella’s journey began as a public defender, advocating for those most impacted by the justice system. During her time working for Salt Lake County, she organized “Expungement Day,” an effort to streamline the legal expungement process into one day. Hundreds showed up—parents, young professionals, and families—looking for hope and seeking a fresh start.
Expungement day illuminated a painful truth: the process of record clearance was outdated, manual, time-consuming, and inefficient, holding many people back. It took hours to analyze a single case, and mountains of paperwork to get through the process. But what struck Noella most was the humanity behind the criminal records she reviewedl—the hopes, dreams, and dignity of people seeking a better future.
Building a Tool for Expungement
On a daily basis, background checks instantly exclude people with records from opportunities. What if the same digital records sets could be used to include people in opportunities? This question became Rasa’s mission. Designed with input from directly impacted people, Rasa’s platform helps users instantly determine their eligibility for record clearance and connects them with an affordable lawyer.
For $15, users can access Rasa’s eligibility tool and get a detailed report on their record. If eligible, Rasa offers affordable, flat-rate legal services starting at $250—dramatically lower than the $2,000-$5,000 traditional attorneys often charge. In its first year, Rasa’s platform helped nearly 10,000 people. Today, it serves over 17,000 users and continues to grow.
Why Expungement Matters
Clearing a criminal record is life-changing. Research shows that individuals with cleared records are 63% more likely to land job interviews, and their wages increase by over 20% within just one year of record clearance. But beyond the economic benefits, the emotional impact is profound.
One Rasa client shared, “Before clearing my record, I always thought I would be the type of person who would just have a job. But now, I believe I’m the type of person who can have a career.” That shift—from surviving to thriving—is what Rasa aims to replicate and scale across the nation.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Noella’s TEDx talk isn’t just a celebration of technology; it’s a celebration of human potential. It’s a reminder that people should be seen as people first, and that no one should be defined forever by their worst day. By including her video in this blog, we invite you to hear her story, witness her passion, and join her mission.
Every record cleared is more than a statistic; it’s a human life renewed. If you or someone you know is ready for a second chance, share this video, promote our message, and send a link to Rasa’s eligibility tool. Together, we can build a world where opportunities are not determined by past mistakes but by future potential.
