John Cooper, executive director of Safe & Just Michigan, which advocated for the clean-slate legislation, called the automatic-expungement bill … Gov. On Thursday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed seven bipartisan bills into law that can provide a “clean slate” to residents who have committed certain felonies and misdemeanors. [NOTE: Not implemented until April 2023. What is Clean Slate? In truth, Michigan’s Clean Slate legislation is a package of 7 separate bills that have dramatically changed the legal landscape in Michigan as it relates to expungements (the removal of arrests and convictions from an individual’s public criminal record; in Michigan, … It wipes a person’s record clean seven to ten years after being convicted of certain charges like marijuana misdemeanors. On Thursday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed seven bipartisan bills into law that can provide a “clean slate” to residents who have committed certain felonies and misdemeanors. There is hope and you deserve a clean slate. The Clean Slate law would automatically expunge misdemeanors seven years after sentencing and felonies 10 years after sentencing or when … On October 12, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of bills that have collectively been referred to as the “Clean Slate” legislation. Revising the waiting periods before being eligible to apply for a set aside. Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan’s Clean Slate legislation into law. T, automatic for certain offenses; however, for some offenses. "We need to look at making it possible for more people to re-enter society without a criminal record hanging over their heads," Lt. Gov. Here's how to get help. Although every effort is made to maintain accurate information on this site, the Michigan Supreme Court does not guarantee the accuracy of the information. READ MORE: If Kids Are Able To Get COVID Vaccine, Health Department May Re-Evaluate Michigan’s Re-Opening Plan. Reducing unnecessary corrections spending, Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). Brief descriptions of the Clean Slate bills. View the full text of the bills in the "Clean Slate" package: fresh start for youth exiting the juvenile justice system, reforms Michigan’s juvenile criminal justice laws to seal juvenile court records from public view and create a process to automatically expunge juvenile records for those who don’t commit future offenses.​, The Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this site as a public service. Email: info@safeandjustmi.org. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Michigan’s newest piece of legislation – the Clean Slate legislative package, was signed into law just this month by Governor Whitmer. Automatic relief (“clean slate”) (4 states, 5 bills) In 2020, Michigan became the sixth state to enact automatic relief for a range of conviction records—a type of reform known as “clean slate,” championed by the Clean Slate Initiative, among others. On October 12, 2020, Gov. “So many people like me need to be able to move forward in their lives.” This week, Michigan’s Clean Slate Act took effect, making up to one million Michiganders eligible for expungement. Jan 19, 2020. Along with our partner organizations, we signed on to a statement calling for a greater range of expansion than these bills put forward based on the demands of community members who are most directly affected by the legislation. Highlights of the "Clean Slate" package include: ​Creating an automatic process for setting aside eligible misdemeanors after seven years and eligible non-assaultive felonies after 10 years. Clean Slate for Michigan Implementation Question: What does the new “Clean Slate” law do? Guidance on using two revised forms, and four new forms for various adult conviction set asides. The bill dubbed as "Clean Slate" would bring on the most sweeping changes. Use the Michigan Legal Help links below for more information on how to set aside a criminal record. The state of Michigan recently passed a “Clean Slate” law. Under the new law certain misdemeanor and felony conviction records in the state will be “set aside” or automatically expunged and will not require an application for expugement. The so-called “Clean Slate” bill passed in a 29-to-8 vote. Courts must automatically seal records related to (1) a conviction for simple possession of a controlled substance or for any nonviolent offense involving marijuana, or (2) an arrest for an offense that does not result in a conviction. Fast forward to October 12, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation into law including the Clean Slate bill, which will automatically clear certain criminal records for folks who have not committed another crime. In Michigan, there is one process to set aside a conviction on an adult record and a different process to set aside a juvenile conviction, called an adjudication. Criminal record set asides (sometimes referred to as "expungement") can help more people have the opportunity to find good jobs and secure safe and affordable housing. Prior to passage of the "Clean Slate" legislation, courts were working with other justice system stakeholders through the "Project Access" program to help individuals navigate the current process to set aside criminal conviction. - Detroit Free Press, WMU-Cooley Law School provides training session regarding state's new Clean Slate Act - Legal News, Prosecutor outlines expungement process - Herald-Palladium, Michigan House passes drunk driving expungement bill - FOX 2 (AP), Michigan moves to allow first-time drunk drivers to expunge conviction - Bridge Magazine, Michigan House approves drunken driving expungement for first-time offenders - MLive, Michigan House renews bipartisan push for first-time drunken driving expungement - MLive, AG Nessel supports budget allocations for Clean Slate Initiative - WLNS, Clean Slate Expungement For Michigan Felons - CBS Detroit, Here's how Michigan's expungement laws will change this spring - Detroit Free Press (Jan. 29, 2021), Felony record expungement gives chance at fresh start; law to expand April 11 - FOX 2 (Jan. 29, 2021), Here's a full list of newly signed bills expanding criminal justice reform in Michigan - WXYZ (Jan. 4, 2021), Detroit residents can apply now for help with expungement under new laws - Detroit Free Press (Dec. 4, 2020), Some Michigan drunken drivers would get records expunged in bipartisan bill - Bridge Magazine (Dec. 3, 2020), New Michigan law to wipe clean misdemeanors, minor offenses - WZZM (Nov. 26, 2020), New law offers offenders 'clean slate': expungements to be streamlined, automated - Traverse City Record-Eagle (Nov. 22, 2020), Commentary: Wiping slate clean for marijuana offenders opens doors - Crain's Detroit Business (Nov. 15, 2020), Clean Slate bill removes ‘scarlet letter’ for people with felony records - FOX 17 (Oct. 20, 2020), Michigan ‘Clean Slate’ plan could take years to implement - WDIV (Oct. 15, 2020), Whitmer signs Clean Slate Michigan, allowing automatic felony expungement - Bridge Magazine (Oct. 12, 2020), What pending changes to expungement laws mean for setting aside criminal records in Michigan - MLive (Oct. 5, 2020), Michigan criminal record expungement bills head to Whitmer's desk - Detroit Free Press (Sept. 24, 2020), Opinion: Automatic expungement plan would offer a 'Clean Slate' with bipartisan support - Lansing State Journal (July 24, 2020), Michigan criminal record expungement bills a step closer to Senate vote - Detroit Free Press (June 26, 2020), Clean slate: Expungements a complex, confusing second chance - Traverse City Record-Eagle (Jan. 19, 2020), MI LEGAL HELP: Setting Aside an Adult Conviction (article), : I Have a Juvenile Adjudication to Set Aside (how-to), I Have an Adult Adjudication to Set Aside (how-to), SCAO: Application to Set Aside Conviction (court form), ​Letter from Governor Gre​​​tchen Whitmer welcoming Project Acces​s program​​, FORM: Application to Set Aside Conviction, MEMO: Revised Forms JC 66 and JC 105 (May 10, 2021), MEMO: Creation and Update of Complaint, Summons Forms (May 10, 2021), MEMO: New & Updated Application Forms for Adult Set Asides (updated April 13, 2021), MEMO: Public Act 362 – Nonpublic Status of Juvenile Records (March 23, 2021), FAQs: Clean Slate for Kids Legislation - Public Act 361 and Public Act 362 (updated March 23, 2021), Clean Slate Legislative Overview (January 28, 2021), MEMO: Clean Slate for Kids Legislation - Public Act 361 and Public Act 362 (Jan. 28, 2021), Investing in 'Clean Slate': Executive Budget Recommends $20.1 Million - State Budget Office (pdf)​, SADO: Expunging Adult Convictions (white paper).