Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced that the Department will host an expungement fair in Marquette on July 12th and 13th. The two-day event will be held at the Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! at 1498 Odovero Drive in Marquette from 11 am to 4 pm.

Expungement fairs provide Michigan residents with a free opportunity to review their criminal convictions with on-site volunteer attorneys for potentially expungable offenses. Having criminal convictions expunged can assist residents in securing employment, housing, and other benefits available to those without a criminal record. The Department began hosting these fairs in 2021 and has helped over 3,200 people at 16 independent events this year alone.

“Expungements can offer a fresh start to Michigan residents with eligible, non-assaultive convictions, and my Department is excited to bring an expungement fair to Marquette,” Nessel said. “We’ve seen how impactful events like these have been for Michiganders across the state looking to foster a future of hope and new beginnings. Thanks to our partners and volunteers, I know this event will also be successful.”

Expungements are not processed or granted at these events. Screened residents are advised by attorneys on the process of obtaining expungement for eligible convictions.

While there are numerous steps involved in requesting an expungement, residents should not be deterred. The Department of Attorney General's expungement webpage provides resources explaining the details of the law, clarifying eligibility, and offering checklists for necessary application steps and materials. The webpage also lists upcoming public expungement events.

In Michigan, individuals convicted of one or more criminal offenses, including felonies but not exceeding three felonies total, may petition the convicting court to set aside their convictions. The review process involves multiple entities: the Michigan State Police, the Department of Attorney General, local courts, and prosecutors where the conviction occurred. Notably, the Department of Attorney General does not grant expungements.

Last year saw the launch of a new automatic expungement program by the Michigan State Police under the Clean Slate legislation enacted in 2021. This program searches daily through the State’s Criminal Historical Record database for eligible convictions to automatically expunge them once certain conditions are met: up to four misdemeanors after seven years or two felonies after ten years since sentencing or imprisonment completion. Additional requirements include having no pending criminal charges.

Residents with convictions that do not qualify for automatic expungement may still apply through traditional processes if they meet all required criteria.

Crimes ineligible for expungement include assaultive crimes, any crime punishable by life imprisonment, criminal sexual conduct offenses, human trafficking-related offenses, terrorism-related offenses involving child sexual abusive material among others.