Up to 1,000,000 Michigan residents may now be eligible to have their criminal record expunged after Michigan’s new “Clean Slate” law went into effect on April 11, 2021.
Eligible offenses: Expanding eligibility to up to three felonies and an unlimited number of misdemeanors, with certain conditions on the types of offenses that qualify. No more than two assaultive crimes can be expunged, and no more than one felony conviction for the same offense if the offense is punishable by more than 10 years imprisonment.
Waiting period: Adjusting the waiting period to apply after a person’s monitoring by the justice system ends (i.e. sentencing, probation, release from incarceration, parole — whichever occurred last) if they remain conviction-free. The waiting period will be three years for misdemeanors, five years for serious misdemeanors or one felony, and seven years for multiple felonies.
Traffic offenses: Expanding eligibility to most traffic offenses. This excludes convictions for driving while intoxicated, traffic offenses that cause injury or death, and Commercial Driver License violations.
Marijuana misdemeanors: Creating a streamlined process to apply for expungement of misdemeanor marijuana possession and use that would not have been considered crimes after recreational marijuana was legalized in Michigan. Judges must grant expungements if prosecutors don’t object.
Multiple offenses in one day: Treating multiple felonies or misdemeanors arising from the same 24-hour period as one conviction for the purposes of expungement. None of the offenses can be assaultive, involve the use or possession of a dangerous weapon, or carry a maximum penalty of 10 or more years in prison.
What convictions will not be eligible for expungement through the application process?
Felonies that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison, attempt to commit a felony for which the maximum punishment is life, felony domestic violence (if the person had a previous domestic violence misdemeanor), child abuse, most criminal sexual conduct offenses, DUIs, and traffic offenses causing injury or death. Smith & Johnson attorney Timothy Smith can help you navigate this new law and get you set with a “clean slate”. Affordable flat fees and the consultation to discuss your eligibility is always free.
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