Delete Your Criminal History: New Opportunities to Expunge Your Criminal Record in Michigan

People make mistakes. When these mistakes result in a criminal conviction, it can impact a person’s ability to obtain employment and access other resources. McCroskey Law’s criminal defense attorneys are happy to report new and improved Michigan rules concerning the expungement of criminal records.

Starting January 12, 2015, a new law (HB 2014 No. 463) allows people with prior criminal convictions to petition the court in which the conviction was entered to set aside the conviction, essentially deleting your criminal record. Significantly, while the law has historically permitted such petitions, the older law did not allow anyone who has more than one prior criminal conviction from seeking the remedial benefits of expunction under the law.

Under the new law, a person may petition to set aside a prior felony conviction, even if that person also has two prior misdemeanor convictions. Additionally, a person who has no more than two prior misdemeanor convictions and no felony convictions may petition the convicting court(s) to set aside one or both prior misdemeanor convictions.

There are still several exceptions under the new law. For example, a person may not petition to expunge a prior felony for which the maximum statutory punishment is life in prison; or felonies involving child abuse, child sexually abusive material, most criminal sexual conduct offenses, and traffic offenses including drunk driving and other alcohol related convictions.

If you have prior criminal convictions which you are interested in attempting to clear from your record, contact McCroskey Law for a consultation to determine your eligibility for relief under the law. Appointments can be scheduled at any of our three offices in Muskegon, Grand Rapids, or Battle Creek.