Expungement

Kalamazoo Expungement Attorneys

Helping Clients Clear Their Criminal Records and Reclaim Their Lives

We understand that the person you were when you committed a crime is not the person you are now. You have served your time, paid your dues, and now you’re just trying to get your life back. But your past has a tendency to follow you. Employers may not care that you have served your time and changed. Landlords may judge you purely based on your criminal record, not your rehabilitation. Jobs may toss your application straight into the trash when they run your name through a simple criminal record search. It doesn’t feel fair, because it’s not. Our Kalamazoo expungement attorneys can help.

Michigan law now offers broader expungement opportunities, which means you may have legal options that didn’t exist only a few years ago. Read more if you are tired of being judged for your past mistakes.

Don’t give up hope. Call 269-626-2296 to schedule a complimentary consultation with Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law.

What is Expungement?

Expungement is the legal process of clearing or sealing a criminal record from public view. In Michigan, it is often referred to as “setting aside a conviction.” When you get a conviction expunged from your record, it is no longer accessible through standard background checks used by employers, landlords, or licensing boards.

An expungement is not the same thing as a pardon. It doesn’t completely erase the fact that an arrest or conviction occurred. Instead, it removes it from public access and restores the critical rights and opportunities you once had. Once your expungement is granted, most situations allow you to state that you have not been convicted of a crime.

People who have a conviction expunged from their criminal record claim it is life-changing. They can get better job opportunities, restore their professional license eligibility, and improve their housing prospects.

We want to give you this new lease on life.

How Have Michigan Expungement Laws Changed?

Michigan passed the Clean Slate initiative in 2020, which went into effect in 2021. Under the new rules, more individuals have the opportunity to clear their criminal records, even for certain low-level felonies and multiple misdemeanors.

A key part of this initiative is automatic expungement for qualifying low-level offenses. It is important to understand that this process is not immediate. It can take up to seven years after sentencing or the completion of a sentence before the state clears a record automatically.

While the expanded eligibility is a major opportunity for many Michiganders, the process remains legally complex. Filing mistakes, incomplete documentation, or failing to argue your case at a hearing properly can result in costly delays or an outright denial.

Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law has experienced expungement attorneys who know how to navigate the legal complexities to build a strong petition and anticipate challenges from prosecutors or the court. Your future deserves nothing less than meticulous, intelligent representation.

Who Qualifies for Expungement in Michigan?

With Michigan’s expanded expungement laws, many individuals can have their old criminal convictions set aside. However, eligibility depends on several important factors, and mistakes can cost you valuable time.

Generally speaking:

Eligible Offenses

Waiting Periods

  • Three years after sentencing or completion of the sentence for most misdemeanors.
  • Five years for a single felony.
  • Seven years if you are seeking to expunge multiple felonies.

Limits on Convictions

  • You can expunge up to three felony convictions.
  • There is no limit to the number of eligible misdemeanors that can be expunged.

Special Rules for Specific Offenses

Prior Expungement Denials

  • If you were previously denied, you may still qualify after a waiting period, but you will need strong legal representation.

Eligibility rules are highly technical, so speaking with our Kalamazoo, Michigan expungement attorneys is crucial to ensure you don’t miss your chance at a clean slate.

What Is the Expungement Process?

There are many complicated legal steps required to expunge your criminal record successfully. Even something that feels like a minor misstep can delay or derail your petition.

Here is a general idea of the step-by-step process:

  • Determine eligibility: The first step is to carefully review your criminal history to confirm which convictions are eligible for expungement under Michigan law.
  • Obtain certified court documents: You will need to gather certified copies of your convictions from the courts where you were sentenced. The court documents are critical for filing a complete and accurate petition.
  • Prepare and file the petition: Your petition must be properly drafted, include all required supporting documents, and then be filed in the court where the conviction occurred.
  • Serve notice to the relevant agencies: You are required to notify the Michigan State Police, the Attorney General’s Office, and the prosecutor who handled your case. Each agency has the right to weigh in on your petition.
  • Attend expungement hearing: At your court hearing, a judge will review your petition, consider any objections, and decide whether to grant or deny your request.

This process typically takes several months from start to finish. With thorough preparation and skilled legal advocacy, your odds of success significantly improve.

Why Do Expungement Petitions Get Denied?

Michigan’s Clean Slate law has opened new opportunities for clearing your criminal record, but many expungement petitions are still denied, and often for avoidable reasons. The most common issues that lead to a denial include:

  • Missing paperwork and procedural errors: Expungement petitions must be complete, accurate, and filed with all of the required agencies. A small mistake, like a missing document or filing in the wrong court, can lead to an automatic denial.
  • Opposition from prosecutors and victims: Prosecutors and victims have the right to object to an expungement. Their objections are incredibly compelling and heavily influence the judge’s final decision.
  • Judicial discretion: Even when eligibility is met, the judge has broad discretion, meaning they have the final say. Concerns about public safety. Serious offenses or doubts about your rehabilitation can lead a judge to deny an otherwise eligible petition.

This is your life and future we are talking about. You will need one of our experienced expungement attorneys in Kalamazoo to ensure that your petition is properly prepared, persuasive, and complete.

What Happens After an Expungement Is Granted?

Once your expungement is granted, your criminal record is officially sealed from public view. This means that employers, landlords, and most other interested parties will no longer see your expunged conviction during background checks. That means that in most situations, when you are asked if you have been convicted of a crime, you can say “no.”

It is important to remember that although your conviction is largely hidden from public view, it is not completely erased. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement, immigration authorities, and courts, can still access the sealed record in limited circumstances.

An expungement is a powerful tool that allows a fresh start. You can look forward to new career opportunities, better housing prospects, and educational venues that were previously unavailable to you. Beyond these measurable benefits, an expungement often carries an even greater emotional impact; the ability to move forward in life without your past constantly holding you back.

Why Choose Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law for Your Kalamazoo Expungement Case?

Choosing the right expungement attorney makes all the difference when fighting for a fresh start. We offer an unparalleled level of experienced, strategic insight when it comes to expungements and your future.

Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law criminal defense attorneys possess deep knowledge of Michigan expungement laws. We understand the intricate procedures required by local courts and the other involved agencies. We are not a revolving door of clients; we approach every case with strategic, comprehensive preparation and one-on-one time with your attorney.

When it’s time for your hearing, we deliver aggressive, confident representation that can persuade even the most stubborn judges. We don’t treat your expungement like “another easy job.” We treat each petition as the serious legal process that it is.

Levine & Levine Attorneys at Law offers a complimentary consultation. All you have to do to get the process started is call 269-626-2296 and ask to speak with a Michigan criminal expungement attorney.