The saying goes, “You commit the crime; you do the time.” But what about when the time has been served and having a record prevents employment and otherwise getting on with life? Or when the crime is no longer a crime under new laws? There’s a webpage for that.
The new webpage, created by Michigan’s Department of Attorney General, lays out the criteria for expungement. While cleared records are not automatic, there is a process for making it happen. The webpage explains the new law, clarifies eligibility, and provides checklists to make sure all the steps are filled for completing the expungement process.
A new law went into effect on April 11th specifically addressing misdemeanors and local ordinance marijuana crimes. A person convicted of such crimes can petition for expungement if the convictions were based on activity that would not have been illegal after December 6th, 2018, when recreational marijuana use was legalized.
There is also an email address dedicated to questions about the process. A link to the email address and the expungement webpage can be found at:
https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-82917_104464_104524—,00.html
For questions, use this email address: ag-expungements@michigan.gov
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
