Michigan’s Clean Slate Laws, signed into law on October 12, 2021, with an effective date of April 11, 2023, provide individuals with criminal records the opportunity to have their records expunged, or cleared, in certain circumstances. These laws are aimed at helping people with criminal records to move on from their past mistakes and have better opportunities in life.
Under the new laws, individuals with certain low-level convictions can petition to have their records expunged after a specified period of time has passed without any new convictions. The waiting period varies depending on the offense, ranging from three to seven years. Additionally, individuals with multiple convictions can have their records expunged if they meet certain requirements, including completing all court-ordered requirements and not having any new convictions for a specific period of time.
The Clean Slate Laws also provide automatic expungement for certain offenses, including marijuana possession and some traffic offenses. This means that individuals with these types of convictions do not need to file a petition and can have their records cleared automatically.
With these laws going into effect April 11, 2023 it is expected that their will be significant delays in obtaining results of criminal records searches in Michigan as the State Police and Courts coordinate records to be automatically expunged. Safe-Screen will keep an eye on how the process rolls out and how it will affect clients running criminal records checks in Michigan.