Restore Your Reputation

Get assistance with the expungement process in Grand Rapids, MI

One mistake shouldn't affect the rest of your life- and it doesn't have to. If you want to file a petition for criminal record expungement, reach out to Bruce Alan Block, P.L.C. in Grand Rapids, MI. Attorney Block will make sure you qualify for expungement and that you understand the expungement process.

Don't let your past ruin your future. Call 616-676-8770 now to make an appointment with an expungement attorney serving Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding areas.

Who can see your criminal record?

Getting a criminal record expungement isn't easy, but it's the best thing you can do for your future. Even criminal charges that have been dismissed can appear on your criminal record, where they can be viewed by...

Employers
Landlords
College admissions committees

Without a stain on your criminal record, more doors could open for you. If you're ready to start the expungement process, contact Bruce Alan Block, P.L.C. today.

New 2021 Expungement Laws

In April 2021, a series of new 'Clean Slate' laws became effective that greatly expands expungement eligibility criteria. In some cases, the clean slate law will automate the criminal record expungement process.
These laws:

•Open the expungement process to those with not more than three felonies and an unlimited number of misdemeanors.

•Shorten wait times for applications to set aside convictions to three years for misdemeanors, five years for felonies, and seven years for multiple felonies.

•Automatically expunge up to two felonies after 10 years and four misdemeanors after seven years for those who have stayed crime-free - with no expungement application required.

•Make most traffic misdemeanor offenses eligible for expungement.

•Judges are required to set aside misdemeanor marijuana offenses that would otherwise be legal under the new adult-use weed law within 80 days of receiving an application if the local prosecutors' office does not object.

•Make multiple offenses arising from one crime count as a single offense - the "one bad day rule."

•Keep expunged crimes shielded from the public view, such as employers or landlords.

The automatic expungement process does not become effective for two years (October 2022). However, the rest of the new clean slate laws became effective April 12, 2021 and you can now take advantage of these new laws NOW.

We are currently helping numerous persons, including those who were previously ineligible under the old law, to file petitions to clean their records, Call us. We can help.

New Michigan Law Allows for Expungement of OWI and DUI offenses.

The law in Michigan will soon allow someone convicted of a first offense drunk driving charge (DUI or OWI) to expunge the conviction from their permanent criminal record. This has never happened since the invention of the automobile. These changes are effective February 23, 2022. A person with one OWI conviction on their record can apply to have the conviction expunged from their criminal record.

Who is Eligible to Expunge an OWI?

To be eligible, you cannot have more than one conviction for drunk driving (OWI or DUI), and at least five (5) years must have passed since you finished your probation. This means that if you have more than one drunk driving offense, such as a drunk driving and an impaired driving conviction, you are not eligible to expunge either one.

Who does not qualify to Expunge an OWI?

You don't qualify for expungement if you have more than one DUI on your record, or if your DUI caused a person serious injury or death. Lastly, if the DUI occurred in a commercial vehicle and you had a commercial driver's license (CDL) you cannot expunge the OWI conviction.

OWI Expungement is not Automatic.

An OWI conviction is not subject to the automatic expungement laws that were passed in 2020. It is estimated that about 200,000 Michigan residents or former residents will be eligible to set aside a DUI conviction.
Despite being eligible, most people don't bother to apply to expunge their convictions. However, this is a mistake. Having a conviction on your record from years ago can affect your ability to purchase a firearm, enter Canada, obtain a job, and even to lease an apartment.

We can Help.

The process to expunge an OWI conviction in Michigan is time-consuming and can be complicated. We will help you get it done right the first time. Trust our 30 years of experience helping people just like you clean their records. Call us.