Clean Slate Act: More People Qualify for Expungement Than Ever Before.
An expungement (setting aside a conviction) removes a conviction from your public criminal history. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards will no longer see it.
What Expungement Does for You
An expungement removes a conviction from your public criminal history. Once expunged, the conviction cannot be used against you in most employment, housing, or licensing decisions. You can legally answer “no” on most job applications that ask about convictions.
What We Can Expunge
- Most misdemeanor convictions (up to 4)
- Most felony convictions (up to 2)
- Marijuana convictions (special provisions)
- Deferred/delayed sentences (e.g. 7411, HYTA)
Waiting Periods (Clean Slate Act)
- Most misdemeanors: 3 years after sentence completion
- Serious misdemeanors: 5 years after sentence completion
- One felony: 5 years after sentence completion
- Multiple felonies: 7 years after sentence completion
Our Expungement Process
01. Eligibility Review
We pull your complete Michigan criminal history and analyze every conviction for eligibility. We identify which convictions can be set aside and the correct waiting periods so you know where you stand.
02. Petition Preparation
We prepare a complete expungement petition including the Application, fingerprints, and certified court records. Errors in the petition delay the process by months; we get it right the first time.
03. Court Representation
Michigan expungements require a hearing before the original sentencing judge. We appear at the hearing, argue for the grant, and address any prosecutorial objections with documentation of your post-conviction conduct.
04. Record Cleanup
A court order does not automatically remove your record from every database. We follow up with the MSP, the FBI, and court records to confirm the record has been properly set aside in every system.
Michigan Expungement Attorney Questions Answered
What convictions cannot be expunged in Michigan?
Certain convictions are permanently excluded: life offense crimes, most criminal sexual conduct, traffic offenses (including OWI), and any offense where a minor was the victim of assault or sexual abuse.
How long does the expungement process take?
Typically four to six months. The Michigan State Police requires at least 60 days to respond to the petition, and court scheduling adds additional time.
Will my expunged conviction show up on a background check?
Once processed, an expunged conviction will not appear on standard background checks. It remains accessible to law enforcement and can be considered in future sentencing.
Speak With an Ann Arbor Defense Lawyer
A confidential conversation early on preserves every available option. Do not speak to investigators without counsel.