LANSING, Mich., March 1, 2022 — State Reps. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) and Kara Hope (D-Holt) are hoping to help people with criminal convictions get a fresh start with their upcoming Expungement Fair with special guest Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Expungement removes arrests and convictions from a person’s public criminal record. Criminal offenses that have been expunged are no longer accessible to employers or landlords. Michigan law has always allowed for expungements, but the “Clean Slate” legislation enacted in 2020 made more individuals and offenses eligible for expungement.
“Giving individuals the chance to have their records cleaned up will remove barriers to employment, housing and economic stability,” Hope said. “I appreciate the organizations and volunteers who are helping to make this event possible.”
Under the new law, individuals with up to three felonies and any number of misdemeanors can have their records expunged. Certain traffic violations and first time Operating While Intoxicated offenses can be expunged. Additionally, misdemeanor marijuana convictions that would not have been considered crimes after recreational marijuana was legalized in Michigan can be expunged. More information about Michigan’s new expungement laws can be found here.
“I am proud of the work we have done as a state over the last few years to create a more rehabilitative, person-focused justice system through laws like “Raise the Age” and expungement,” Anthony said. “Legislative action is an incredibly important step on this journey, but these changes will mean nothing if we don’t help people understand how the law applies to them and support them through the process. The town hall and expungement fair will give people an opportunity to take advantage of these changes.”
Ingham County residents who want to participate in this event must fill out a screening form here. This form will be available through March 10. Individuals who are eligible for expungement will be contacted by Rep. Hope’s office between March 17 and March 22.
In anticipation of the fair, applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in the upcoming virtual expungement fair town hall on March 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. During this event, Reps. Hope and Anthony, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and representatives from Capital Area Michigan Works! will explain the expungement process. They will also share what to expect during the expungement fair, and they will take questions. The town hall can be accessed using this Zoom link. It will also be livestreamed and posted on Rep. Hope’s and Rep. Anthony’s Facebook pages.
The in-person Expungement Fair will take place March 23, from 4 to 8 p.m., at WMU Cooley Law School, 300 S. Capitol Ave. in Lansing. Attorney General Dana Nessel will take part in this event, which is made possible by Michigan’s “Clean Slate” legislation and volunteer attorneys and law students. Safe and Just Michigan is helping organize and execute this event.