Clinics to inform people how to expunge criminal convictions

LANSING (AP) - The Michigan Supreme Court says some counties in mid-Michigan and the northern Lower Peninsula are holding clinics to inform people about expunging criminal convictions.

There will be a clinic Friday at the Gratiot County court from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by similar events next week in Wexford, Kalkaska, Otsego, and Crawford counties. Judges and lawyers will explain the process and can help people start applications.

Some convictions can be set aside under certain conditions. Someone can be eligible if five years have passed since the sentence was ordered or served. Traffic offenses, such as drunken driving, don't count, and there are other exceptions.

Prosecutors are given an opportunity to oppose an application for expungement. A judge also has discretion to approve or reject it.

Published: Thu, Jul 25, 2019