DETROIT — A bipartisan group of legislators announced a plan yesterday to expand Michigan’s expungement laws to give thousands of residents with old, low-level criminal convictions an opportunity for a fresh start. The six-bill package includes legislation to broaden the eligibility for expungements, shorten the waiting period for expungement eligibility and establish an automatic expungement system for certain offenses. In response, state Rep. Tenisha Yancey (D-Harper Woods), who attended the press conference, issued the following statement:
“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize the importance of properly supporting all Michiganders, regardless of mistakes they may have made in the past. When our community members take responsibility for their actions, they also demonstrate their willingness to commit themselves to a better pathway in life. Supporting our neighbors in this endeavor allows them, and our state, to move toward a more successful, prosperous and safe future for us all. ”
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