Expungement Lawyer in Grand Rapids | Clear Your Criminal Record

The Browning Law Firm guides clients through expungement proceedings to clear records and open new opportunities. Michigan's Clean Slate laws, significantly expanded in 2021, allow expungement of: Up to three felony convictions and unlimited misdemeanors (with limits on combinations); One felony and two misdemeanors; Marijuana offenses that would now be legal; Certain traffic offenses; Juvenile adjudications after three years. Expungement makes conviction records non-public�they won't appear on most background checks, and you can legally answer "no" when asked if you've been convicted (with few exceptions for law enforcement, judiciary, and sensitive positions). Eligibility requirements include: Waiting periods�5 years for felonies, 3 years for misdemeanors, 7 years for serious misdemeanors, measured from sentence completion including probation/parole; No more than two assaultive felony convictions; No convictions during waiting period; Cannot expunge certain offenses including CSC offenses, most traffic offenses causing injury/death, terrorism, and human trafficking. Automatic expungement applies to some convictions after 10 years (certain marijuana offenses and first-time misdemeanors), but many people benefit from applying earlier rather than waiting for automatic expungement. Our expungement process begins with obtaining your complete criminal record to identify all convictions and determine eligibility. Michigan State Police and FBI records must be reviewed as county records may be incomplete. We analyze waiting period calculations carefully�sentence completion means finishing all probation, parole, fines, and restitution, not just release from custody. Small technicalities in timing can affect eligibility. Application preparation involves detailed petition drafting explaining your rehabilitation, life changes, employment or education goals, and why expungement serves the public interest and your rehabilitation. Supporting documents might include employment letters, education certificates, community service records, and character references. Fingerprinting and background check fees are required. The Michigan State Police conducts background checks confirming eligibility. Prosecutor notification is mandatory�prosecutors may object to expungement. We respond to objections with legal arguments and evidence supporting your rehabilitation. Court hearings allow judges to question applicants about their rehabilitation and reasons for seeking expungement. We prepare clients thoroughly for hearings, present compelling arguments, and introduce evidence demonstrating rehabilitation and changed circumstances. Judges consider factors including nature and severity of offense, your age at offense, criminal record, employment history, community involvement, and circumstances showing you're unlikely to reoffend. Successful expungement requires persuasive presentation of these factors. Multiple conviction cases involve strategic decisions about which convictions to expunge first when you exceed limits. Prioritizing based on employment barriers or other factors requires careful planning. Marijuana expungements receive special treatment under recent law. Many marijuana offenses that are now legal can be expunged without waiting periods or counting toward conviction limits. Juvenile record expungement follows different rules and timelines, but clearing juvenile adjudications can be equally important for young adults facing background checks. Traffic offense expungement is limited�serious traffic offenses causing death or serious injury generally cannot be expunged, but some traffic misdemeanors may qualify. Expungement doesn't restore gun rights�separate proceedings may be needed for firearm rights restoration. Post-expungement, records are removed from public access. While law enforcement retains records, employers and landlords conducting standard background checks won't see expunged convictions. This opens employment opportunities previously blocked by criminal records. Professional licensing boards vary in how they treat expunged convictions�some must disregard them, others still consider them. We advise clients on specific licensing implications. Expungement represents a second chance and fresh start. Our goal is helping clients clear records efficiently and effectively, removing barriers to employment, housing, and opportunity that criminal records create.