Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Thursday announced changes to the Department of Attorney General expungement webpage to help improve service in light of a significant increase in the number of applications submitted to set aside a conviction. The webpage is available at www.michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/Expungement-Assistance.
The passage of Michigan’s Clean Slate Law in 2020 greatly expanded eligibility for those seeking to expunge their criminal record. The first year the new law was in effect, applications to the Department of Attorney General more than doubled from 3,325 in 2019 to 7,037 in 2021. So far this year, the department has reviewed 5,373 and is in the process of reviewing thousands more.
The Department of Attorney General’s expungement webpage has been updated to provide a description of the application review process, the anticipated timeline for review, and a webform that residents can use to seek information on the status of their applications. Information regarding eligibility for expungement, as well as checklists and links to applications to set aside a conviction are also available on the webpage.
“Increased demand is a good thing because it means more eligible Michiganders are taking advantage of our state’s expanded Clean Slate Law,” said Nessel. “My expungement team is diligently working to review every application in a timely manner, and I am committed to maximizing department resources to streamline and expedite the process.”
By law, expungement applications are first processed by the Michigan State Police (MSP). Once the MSP has completed a thorough background check of the applicant, the Department of Attorney General must review applications prior to court appearances.
As of April 11, 2021, 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. By visiting the webpage, Michiganders can access the filing and service requirements and a checklist specifically designed for this part of the expungement law.
A person convicted of one or more misdemeanor or local ordinance marijuana crimes may petition the convicting court to set aside the convictions if they were based on activity that would not have been a crime after December 6, 2018 – when a 2018 voter-passed initiative to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Michigan went into effect.
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