Dear Friends and Neighbors,

If you or someone in your life has a criminal record keeping them from reaching their full potential, you will want to learn more about this event.

My special guest State Rep. Sarah Anthony and I will host an expungement fair on 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.

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 the records of more individuals and offenses eligible for expungement.

Under the new law, individuals with up to three felonies and unlimited 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.

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 my office between March 17 and March 22.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in an informational online event that will take place before the fair. During this event, Attorney General 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 take questions. This virtual expungement fair town hall is on March 9 from 6-7 p.m., over Zoom and Facebook Live. The town hall can be accessed using this link. It will also be livestreamed and posted on Rep. Hope’s and Rep. Anthony’s Facebook pages.

Sincerely,

Kara Hope

State Representative, 67th House District