HOW DO I REMOVE A CRIMINAL CONVICTION FROM MY RECORD?

In Michigan, a criminal conviction can be removed from one’s criminal record through the expungement process. When a criminal conviction is expunged, a person can honestly represent to employers and others that they have not been convicted of the expunged crime. 

Importantly, the expungement process is a privilege, not a right, and certain requirements must be met before a criminal conviction can be expunged. Furthermore, not all criminal convictions are eligible for an expungement. Whether a person’s criminal conviction can be expunged depends on (1) the type of conviction (felony or misdemeanor); (2) the amount of other criminal convictions; and (3) the timing of when a conviction is eligible to expunged. 

In April 2021, Michigan’s new Clean Slate Laws took effect and broadened the number of criminal convictions a person can expunge. Subject to certain limitations, a person convicted of one or more criminal offenses, but no more than three felony offenses, may be able to expunge all of their convictions after a certain number of years have passed since the conviction.

The waiting period to determine when a conviction may be expunged depends on the type of conviction. To expunge a misdemeanor criminal conviction, at least three years must have passed from the date of the conviction, or the date the person was released from probation, imprisonment, or parole. For a single felony, five years must have passed from the date of the conviction, or the date the person was released from probation, imprisonment, or parole. For multiple felonies, but not more than three, seven years must have passed from the date of the conviction, or the date the person was released from probation, imprisonment, or parole. 

If you have a criminal conviction that you want removed from your criminal record, contact The Head Law Firm, PLC. Our experienced attorneys will be able to determine when, or if, you are eligible and guide you through the expungement process.