LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced that the department will host an expungement fair in Marquette from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13. It will be held at the Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! at 1498 Odovero Drive.
Expungement fairs offer Michigan residents a free opportunity to review their criminal convictions with on-site volunteer attorneys for potentially expungable convictions. Having criminal convictions expunged can aid a resident in securing employment, housing, and other benefits available to those without a criminal record. The department began hosting expungement fairs in 2021. This year alone, the Department has helped over 3,200 people at 16 independent expungement events.
“Expungements can offer a fresh start to Michigan residents with eligible, non-assaultive convictions, and my department is excited to bring an expungement fair to Marquette,” Nessel said. “We’ve seen how impactful events like these have been for Michiganders across the state looking to foster a future of hope and new beginnings. Thanks to our partners and volunteers, I know this event will also be successful.”
Expungements are not processed or granted at these events. Screened residents are advised by attorneys at the fair on the process to obtain expungement of eligible convictions.
While there are numerous steps involved in requesting an expungement, residents should not be deterred. The Department of Attorney General expungement webpage provides resources to explain the details of the law, clarify eligibility, and provide checklists for necessary application steps and materials. The webpage also lists upcoming public expungement events.
In Michigan, a person convicted of one or more criminal offenses, including felonies, but not more than a total of three felonies, may petition the convicting court to set aside the convictions. The process for review of applications includes the Michigan State Police, the Department of Attorney General, the local court, and the prosecutor where the conviction occurred. The Department of Attorney General does not grant expungements.
Last year, the Michigan State Police launched a new automatic expungement program in accordance with the Clean Slate legislation enacted in 2021. The program searches the State’s Criminal Historical Record database daily for eligible convictions to automatically expunge eligible offenses. Eligible residents may have up to four eligible misdemeanors or two eligible felonies automatically expunged once seven years (for misdemeanors) or 10 years (for felonies) have elapsed since the imposition date of a sentence or the completion of a term of imprisonment, whichever occurs later. There are several additional requirements for a conviction to be eligible for automatic expungement, including the requirement that the resident not have any pending criminal charges.
Those residents with convictions that do not qualify for automatic expungement may still be able to go through the traditional expungement application process, provided that the requirements for that process are met.
A list of crimes ineligible for expungement include assaultive crimes, any crime punishable by a life sentence, criminal sexual conduct, human trafficking, terrorism-related offenses, child sexual abusive material, and more.
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