How to get a misdemeanor expunged in michigan. Make most traffic offenses — which are 50 percent of all criminal cases in Michigan — potentially eligible for expungement. 1 This article highlights the statute governing the requirements for setting aside convictions and recent changes impacting those wishing to obtain an expungement in Michigan. However, determining which convictions are eligible for expungement can be challenging. Under this new law, there is no need to send a copy of the application to the Michigan Attorney General or to the Misdemeanor Marijuana Offenses Misdemeanor marijuana expungements can be for violations of the law related to possession, personal use, and the sale of paraphernalia. In addition to filing the application to expunge the misdemeanor marijuana conviction (s) in the court in which the conviction (s) occurred, the applicant must send a copy of the application to the prosecuting agency, whether that was a county or local city or village prosecutor. Get a certified copy of each conviction from the clerk of the court in which you were convicted and attach it to your application. This article explores what expungement is, how the process works, who qualifies, and why legal counsel—especially from seasoned professionals like former Jan 19, 2025 · Navigate Michigan’s expungement process with insights on eligibility, filing petitions, and its impact on criminal records. Learn how to remove criminal convictions from your history in Michigan and what the Clean Slate Expungement Law can do for you. Fortunately, Michigan has made significant strides in criminal justice reform, particularly with its expanded expungement laws. If one of your convictions is a high misdemeanor, you may want to speak with a criminal lawyer who has experience handling these types of cases before you file your application. Expungement in Michigan offers a second chance for many individuals, allowing them to move forward without the burden of a criminal record. Aug 6, 2025 · Learn How Much It Costs To Expunge Eligible Past Convictions in Oakland County. If you are looking to expunge only NON-SERIOUS MISDEMEANORS, you can apply after 3 years from the latest of those dates. May 29, 2014 · An Expungement is Also Known as a Motion to Set Aside a Misdemeanor Conviction Misdemeanor convictions will stay on your record for years, or in some cases, life, or until the conviction is set aside with a Motion to Set Aside Conviction, AKA Motion for Expungement, or Expungement Motion. You may petition for an expungement under the following Apr 9, 2021 · Law enforcement, courts and agencies such as the Michigan Department of Corrections retain access to expunged records. Jan 30, 2025 · Legally Reviewed Fact-Checked Can a Felony Be Expunged in Michigan? In short, yes, expunging a conviction in Michigan is possible under certain conditions. ” This article gives an overview of the laws that apply to setting aside an adult conviction. Not all misdemeanor marijuana offenses qualify under the law. Limitations and Exceptions to Michigan Expungement Laws Limits on the number of convictions that can be expunged in Michigan Michigan law allows individuals to expunge one felony offense and up to two misdemeanors or one felony and one misdemeanor offense. Apr 7, 2021 · What is an expungement or “set-aside” under Michigan law? Michigan law (as of January 2021) permits a person with no more than one felony or two misdemeanor convictions on their record to petition a court to remove their conviction(s) from the public record. The Clean State legislation operates generally as follows: Eligibility: Up to three felony convictions can be Feb 12, 2010 · How can I get a domestic violence misdemeanor expunged from my record? I live in Michigan. Apr 16, 2021 · New Michigan laws are making it easier for residents who have committed nonviolent crimes to get their records wiped clean. Automatic expungement is a new program to expunge (“set aside”) some Michigan adult convictions starting on April 11, 2023. How Can We Help You? Start Here: Guide to Legal Help Use the Guide to Legal Help to quickly find the best resources and referrals for your legal problem. The Michigan Attorney General or local prosecutor will likely argue that these misdemeanors should be counted as felonies when setting aside convictions. If you ever get stuck, consider getting legal help. However, Michigan is changing the expunction process which could affect many people in the criminal justice system. In fact according to the Michigan Compiled Law section 764. That means you have to fill out paperwork, obtain a copy of your criminal record, get fingerprinted and appear in court. Feb 15, 2022 · Q: What is an expungement or “set-aside” under Michigan law? A: An expungement refers to the removal of a criminal conviction from an individual’s public record. 621e, you must use form MC 227a. Dec 1, 2025 · Welcome to Michigan Legal Help: Tools for Everyday Justice Michigan Legal Help has tools and information to help you understand and manage your legal problems. Clearing a conviction under the Clean Slate Act can open doors to jobs, housing, and a more stable future. Mar 18, 2025 · A: Under the Clean Slate Act, an individual may seek to expunge a conviction either through the Expungement by Application process (applying with the convicting court to have a conviction expunged) or through the Automatic Expungement Program that is implemented by the state of Michigan. Visit ICHAT to check your record to determine if your conviction was automatically expunged. How to Get an Early Expungement of Felony or Misdemeanor Conviction Certain low-level felony and misdemeanor convictions are eligible for automatic expungement; however, you might be able to get an early expungement. Here's how it generally works: Automatic Expungement Eligibility - Michigan's automatic expungement law, which took effect in April 2021, allows for certain convictions to be automatically set aside after a specific period, without the need for an application. The changes to the numbers/types of convictions that can be set aside are going into effect on April 11, 2021. Feb 19, 2025 · In order to be eligible for misdemeanor expungement, you must first apply for the expungement in writing with the proper court. Do-It-Yourself Expungement (Adult Conviction) Home Crime and Traffic Do-It-Yourself… Use this tool to fill out the forms to ask a court to set aside an adult criminal conviction. Federal Penalties for Simple Possession of Meth Federal law makes knowingly or intentionally possessing meth a misdemeanor for a first offense, which carries a penalty of up to one year’s incarceration. This program will automatically expunge qualifying, eligible convictions, using information from the Criminal Historical Record database to Apr 11, 2021 · The new expungement laws are being phased in over time. ” While most private employers, landlords, and the public in general, will not be able access the expunged conviction, law enforcement, courts When seeking to expunge one or more misdemeanor convictions (other than serious misdemeanors and any misdemeanor conviction for an assaultive crime), at least 3 years from the latest of the following events: date of the sentencing, completion of a term of probation, or completion of any term of imprisonment. At Michigan Defense Law, our knowledgeable team of Oakland County expungement lawyers works closely with clients to help them seal felony and misdemeanor convictions. How do I get this kind of expunction? All convictions that happen in the same session of court count as one conviction. The Law Offices of Barton Morris specialize in expungement services in Michigan, To help you clear your criminal record. . (1) Except as otherwise provided in this act, a person who is convicted of 1 or more criminal offenses may file an application with the convicting court for the entry of an order setting aside 1 or If you are asking to have a misdemeanor marihuana related conviction set aside under MCL 780. The ability to clear some convictions from public view without an application comes two years after new Clean your record Reduce the impact of your California criminal record. Best Criminal Defense Attorney in Lansing. However, there are certain offenses that cannot be removed from a criminal record. Only Utah, California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey allow low-level offenses to be automatically cleared from records, and Michigan will now be the first to include low-level felonies in the automatic process. What Convictions Can You Expunge (Set Aside) with an Application? Learn about which adult convictions you can apply to set aside in Michigan. No one was sent to the hospital and no one was injured. 1. This includes gathering your records, having a hearing, and having your conviction set aside. An expungement in MI is a procedure in which your arrest record and criminal conviction are erased. Find out the exact date of each conviction and each charge from the court. To get a more accurate estimate on how long your expungement may take, please take our confidential eligibility test and review the information on the service for which you are eligible. You can only expunge up to 2 “assaultive crimes” * (either felonies or misdemeanors) in your lifetime. Go to Expunging (Setting Aside) Adult Criminal Convictions to find step-by-step instructions. However, class C misdemeanor cases are usually filed in Municipal or Justice courts. If your record was not automatically expunged and you believe it should have been, you will need to email the Michigan State Police Department. This statute outlines the process and requirements for setting aside a conviction in Michigan which is outlined below in detail. Applying to get your criminal conviction set aside can take about six months or more. Michigan’s “Clean Slate” legislation, which went into effect in 2021, expanded eligibility for expungement within the state. Feb 15, 2024 · For purposes of expungement, Michigan takes a broad view of what a conviction is. You don’t need to apply for automatic expungement. Call us today for a consultation & start anew! Aug 11, 2022 · In 2020, Michigan passed a series of “clean slate laws” that expand a person’s eligibility to have their criminal record expunged. What Is Expungement? Expungement is a process by which a person convicted of a crime has that crime removed from their criminal record. Michigan expungement attorney criminal defense lawyer Lansing. Keep reading for more information. 621 Application for order setting aside conviction; felony or misdemeanor conviction; setting aside of certain convictions prohibited; victim of human trafficking violation; definitions. An expungement is sometimes referred to as“record-sealing” or a “set-aside. Dec 9, 2019 · In Michigan, what is the process of having my record expunged? In order to get a criminal conviction expunged, you need to complete an application for expungement and attend a hearing to set aside the conviction. Aside from automatic expungement, all the expungements described above are available through the court petition process. Jan 10, 2025 · Criminal Law How to Get Something Expunged Off Your Record Learn the process of expunging a record, from eligibility to post-expungement steps, ensuring a clear path to a fresh start. 15, an arrest warrant is only required to apprehend individuals who are suspected of committing a misdemeanor when the crime occurs in the absence of a police officer and in cases of domestic violence and driving under the influence of a controlled substance or alcohol. Here are a few tips. Apr 26, 2021 · If you have a marijuana-related conviction, you can apply for it to be expunged right now, while other offenses have waiting periods. Learn the severity and penalties of the various crime categories according to the provisions of the Michigan judicial code. Not Everybody Is Eligible to Have Their Record Expunged Michigan law sets forth specific criteria that you have to meet in order to expunge a conviction. HOW DO YOU GET A CONVICTION SET ASIDE/EXPUNGED? STEP 1: Complete and sign your application An application can be found and filled out at: Feb 24, 2025 · Fortunately, with the help of the Davis Law Group, you may get a fresh start through having your criminal record expunged. Under the new legislation, a person convicted of one (1) or more criminal offenses, but no more than three (3) total felony offenses, may apply to have any or all of the convictions expunged from their record. With respect to Level 6 felonies reduced to a misdemeanor, the waiting period to obtain an expungement begins on the date a felony conviction is entered and does not start anew if that conviction is later reduced to a misdemeanor. However, certain offenses are not eligible for expungement, such as major traffic offenses, certain sex crimes, and offenses with a Oct 12, 2020 · The Clean Slate law makes Michigan a nationwide leader in expungement reform. Apr 28, 2025 · Michigan's Expungement Laws: What You Need to Know If you have a criminal record in Michigan, you may think your past mistakes will follow you forever. The changes that kick in Sunday apply to expungement through the petition May 15, 2025 · For many Michiganders, a criminal record is a barrier to employment, housing, education, and peace of mind. You will go to the LawHelp Interactive website to do this. Jun 30, 2022 · Previously, Michigan law permitted a person with no more than one (1) felony and two (2) misdemeanors to have the conviction expunged. Aug 25, 2022 · Requirements for expungement of records in Michigan include the right timeframe, application fee, case information, and fingerprints. Setting aside a conviction is the process that clears your public criminal record. Offices located in Kalamazoo & Berrien County. In Michigan, individuals convicted of Mar 24, 2022 · Most state offenses can be expunged in Michigan after a set amount of time. Apr 19, 2023 · With the passing of the Clean Slate Act and the introduction of expungement fairs across the state, applications to set aside convictions are on the rise. Oct 12, 2020 · The Clean Slate law makes Michigan a nationwide leader in expungement reform. This is because driving under the influence is considered a serious traffic violation, which means it is still ineligible for expungement under the new ‘Second Chance Law. The police arrested me after I left my home b/c I thought it was the right choice considering a heated arguement was occuring. Leading Lansing criminal defense attorney Edwar Zeineh can determine if you are eligible for an expungement. 2 Because setting aside a conviction is a privilege and not a Expungement allows a person charged with a crime to get a clean slate. There is nothing in the law on when a person can file to have an assaultive misdemeanor set aside, but every assaultive misdemeanor also qualifies as a serious misdemeanor. 621. This is sometimes called an “expungement. However, this doesn't apply to all types of convictions. If you are looking to expunge any SERIOUS MISDEMEANORS * or 1 FELONY, you can apply after 5 years from the latest of those dates. These smaller courts typically get to expunction cases much faster than other courts. A law firm dedicated to expungement laws and expungement in Southwest Michigan. It's been 5 years since the charge and I am trying to get a job, it's a job for Michigan state crimes are categorized as felonies, misdemeanors or infractions. Contact Our Michigan Expungement Lawyers To Determine If You May Be Eligible For an Expungement If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in the state of Michigan, and have questions concerning your eligibility for an expungement, please contact the criminal defense law firm of Grabel & Associates for a free consultation. Sec. Jan 30, 2021 · Big changes are ahead for people who want to get their criminal records expunged. Complete guide to eligible offenses, waiting periods, and set-aside processes. Here's how Michigan's laws will change in April. The LegalMatch online law library contains insights to help you with your case. The expungement process is about to get a whole lot easier! On April 11, 2023, the Michigan State Police will roll out a process to automatically expunge certain convictions without an application, per the clean slate legislation that was enacted in 2020. Obtain a certified copy of your misdemeanor or local ordinance marijuana conviction. Aug 14, 2020 · States use a variety of language to describe record clearance, including annulment, destruction, dismissal, erasure, expungement, sealing, set-aside and vacatur. Nov 1, 2024 · Criminal lawyers in Michigan explain how to have your criminal record expunged. Apr 11, 2023 · The Michigan State Police is now streamlining the state's expungement process by searching for and setting aside certain convictions that qualify under the current law. If you need help clearing your record, we can help you. Applications to expunge “misdemeanor marijuana convictions” can be filed beginning April 11, 2021. Although it does not include arrests in its definition of convictions, a court will consider all deferred or dismissed misdemeanor and felony charges on your record as misdemeanor convictions for the purpose of determining your eligibility for expungement. In Spring of 2021, Michigan expanded the types of criminal records that are eligible to be expunged by filing a petition with the court where the conviction happened. Here are the most frequently asked questions about Michigan expungement law. Here is a round-up of what cannabis-specific measures legalization states have taken to expunge and seal past convictions and to release individuals from sentences. ” While most private employers, landlords, and the public in general, will not be able access the expunged conviction, law enforcement, courts How to Get a Felony Expunged in Michigan Michigan’s expungement law offers a second chance for those with eligible felony records. 780. Apr 11, 2023 · Automatic expungement of certain criminal convictions begins Tuesday in Michigan. What county is the petition for expunction being filed in? Reduce the waiting period for an expungement to three years for non-serious misdemeanors and permit applications for multiple felonies after seven years. Reduce the waiting period for an expungement to three years for non-serious misdemeanors and permit applications for multiple felonies after seven years. Normally, there are several fees associated with the expungement process including the $50 application fee, certified court records, fingerprinting and attorney’s fees if you choose to retain legal representation. The law related to cleaning your record is complicated. How to get a conviction removed from your criminal record in Michigan. A Michigan criminal attorney can advise you on the proper actions for your case. ” In Michigan, law May 15, 2025 · For many Michiganders, a criminal record is a barrier to employment, housing, education, and peace of mind. Aug 21, 2025 · If you need help determining your eligibility for expungement in Michigan or are ready to start the legal process, our team is here to guide you through every step. A plan to automate expungement for certain offenses was created. 2. Eligibility – You can expunge up to 3 felony convictions and an unlimited number of misdemeanors (with some exceptions for more serious offenses). Felony and most misdemeanor expungement are typically filed in Texas district courts. I need advice on what to do. By understanding the eligibility criteria, waiting periods, and special considerations, and by working with a dedicated expungement lawyer, you can take significant steps toward a brighter future. Although true expungement does not exist in California, there may be options to clean your record depending on your situation. Learn more. Step 1: Determine Eligibility Before initiating the expungement process, you must ascertain eligibility under Michigan law. Here are the most common questions we hear, along with everything you need to know about eligibility and how to begin to get a crime expunged in Michigan. Can my public defender do that for me? No - Your attorney can only help you with current criminal charges. This article explores what expungement is, how the process works, who qualifies, and why legal counsel—especially from seasoned professionals like former Jan 17, 2025 · Learn the process of misdemeanor expungement, from eligibility to post-expungement steps, to clear your record effectively. This process is generally referred to as an expungement, or sometimes as “record-sealing” or a “set-aside. In the state of Michigan, only a few government agencies and courts can view your conviction if your record has been set aside. Dec 1, 2019 · If you apply to expunge these convictions correctly, the court must grant you the expunction. Contact (269) 431-2058 for a consultation if you'd like your record expunged. An outline of requirements for those who want to obtain a Michigan Concealed Pistol License. Jan 19, 2025 · Navigate Michigan’s expungement process with insights on eligibility, filing petitions, and its impact on criminal records. A conviction can result in punishments ranging from a fine or a misdemeanor jail term to a lengthy prison sentence for a felony conviction. Michigan has expanded expungement eligibility in recent years, allowing many individuals to clear eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions. It happened in 2009, between me and my ex-wife. A Brief Guide on the Expungement Process and the Impact of a Criminal Record. Jun 18, 2023 · Learn how Michigan's expungement laws can clear your criminal record. But thanks to recent updates in state law, more people now have the opportunity to expunge, or remove, certain offenses from their public criminal records. Visit the State of Michigan website where free expungement events are listed throughout the state. A conviction that is set aside cannot be seen by the public. Fraiberg & Pernie assists clients with criminal record expungements and evaluates whether convictions qualify for record clearing under Michigan law. The relevant Michigan law for expungement is found under MCL 780. Oct 2, 2022 · Can a DUI be expunged in Georgia? Unfortunately, in the state of Georgia a DUI conviction cannot be expunged from your record. If you participate in the City of Ann Arbor Expungement Program, the expungement process is free. Michigan law allows for the set aside of most adult convictions. This program is part of the Clean Slate laws passed in 2020. If you are asking to have a misdemeanor marihuana related conviction set aside under MCL 780. The process takes planning and precision, but with the right steps, it’s within reach. Expungement, or the legal process of sealing or erasing past convictions from your criminal record, offers a potential path toward a fresh start and a brighter future. If you have 2 convictions for the same felony offense that can be punished by more than 10 years in prison, you can only get one of those felonies expunged. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. To be eligible, you must satisfy a three-year waiting period for misdemeanors, a five-year waiting period for serious misdemeanor convictions or a single felony conviction, or seven-year waiting period for multiple felony convictions. Find legal help Long story short, I got caught up with the wrong crowd in High School, I got busted for storing a weed carton in my locker and got charged with Minor in Possession of Marijuana, my lawyer worked his magic, and got the charge dismissed (nolle prosequi), I was charged as an adult because I just turned 17 at the time. On Monday, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a new website where Michigan residents can learn about how to begin the process expunge the marijuana-related criminal records that require an Contact Our Michigan Expungement Lawyers To Determine If You May Be Eligible For an Expungement If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in the state of Michigan, and have questions concerning your eligibility for an expungement, please contact the criminal defense law firm of Grabel & Associates for a free consultation. Apr 26, 2023 · More than 1 million felonies and misdemeanors have been erased from residents’ records since the automatic program took effect on April 11, and state officials say the process is designed to run a daily check for newly-eligible convictions to expunge. Michigan’s clean slate law is the most expansive in the country and allows people to set aside up to two felony and four misdemeanor convictions. You have one eligible misdemeanor conviction and at least 3 years have passed since the date of your conviction. The law says the courts and the Michigan State Police must process all eligible convictions. Michigan’s Clean Slate Law has made it easier than ever for people to clear their record and get a fresh start. Seeking to have convictions wiped from your record is a separate process. I need to get some old criminal convictions expunged. fnnf wkqlw kogl tkoxb vnqqbg gff lvhveo ivxzd kfjb xzc