Expungement Information

Need Help Clearing Your Record?

Lakeshore is providing legal assistance to residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties who are seeking expungement. Each clinic takes place in a different location. Complete pre-registration and the clinic location and appointment time will be sent one week before your scheduled clinic date. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Clinics are between 10am – 1pm (by pre-registration only):

  • May 9, 2025 – Southfield
  • June 13, 2025 – Dearborn
  • July 17, 2025 – Southfield
  • August 7, 2025 – Dearborn
  • September 5, 2025 – Farmington Hills
Click here to pre-register!

What is Expungement?

Expungement, also known as “setting aside a conviction,” is a legal process to remove criminal convictions from a person’s public record so that it no longer affects employment, housing, or other opportunities.

Who Can Get an Expungement?

Michigan’s Clean Slate Law allows some people to clear their records. You may be able to get an expungement when:

1. You have 3 or less felony convictions.

  • You may be able to expunge up to 3 felonies and an unlimited number of misdemeanors, with some exceptions.
    • If you have more than 3 felonies, you usually can’t apply unless it was a “One Bad Night” situation where multiple offenses happened in one incident.

2. Your type of convictions qualifies.

  • Some crimes, like serious felonies and most traffic offenses, may not be eligible. More information on eligibility can be found on the State of Michigan’s website.

3. You have waited long enough.

  • Misdemeanors: 3 years after sentencing, probation, or release from jail/prison.
  • Serious misdemeanors and one felony: 5 years after sentencing, probation, or release from jail/prison.
  • Multiple felonies: 7 years after sentencing, probation, or release from jail/prison.

4. Your record is expunged automatically.

  • For some offenses, your record might be cleared automatically after 7 or 10 years without you having to apply. This is done by the Michigan State Police, but they don’t notify you when it happens.

More Information and Resources

One Bad Night Rule 

  • If you have more than 3 felonies from a single incident that happened in a 24-hour period, you might still qualify for expungement. To see if you qualify, visit Michigan Legal Help for more information.

Automatic Expungement (as of April 2023) 

  • Up to 2 felonies after 10 years, 4 misdemeanors after 7 years (if no new convictions occur during the waiting period).
  • Some crimes are not eligible for automatic expungement. For more information on if your conviction can be expunged, please visit the State of Michigan’s website.  
 Important Notes
  • The process takes 6-12 months. 
  • Approval is case-by-case; judges consider behavior and public interest. 
  • Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement and courts. 
Resources

For more information on eligibility and a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an expungement, please visit Michigan Legal Help.