If you have a criminal record, you may experience difficulty finding a job, renting an apartment, or getting into college or technical school. Depending on the type of crime you were convicted of committing, you may have had to forfeit some of your rights, such as the right to vote, the right to bear arms, the right to serve on a jury, or the right to hold public office. However, you may be able to lessen the impact of a criminal conviction by seeking a criminal record expungement.
Expungement is the legal process of sealing your criminal record from public view. Once your record has been expunged, you can truthfully answer, in all but a few limited situations, that you do not have a criminal record.
While Michigan has a generous policy towards expungement, expungement is never granted automatically. To give yourself the greatest likelihood of success, it is best to work with an experienced criminal record expungement lawyer who understands the nuances of Michigan expungement law and can present your case in the best light possible.
People who were convicted of misdemeanor or felony offenses may be eligible for expungement.
Expungement is not available for traffic offenses, sex crimes, when a person has multiple criminal convictions, or when they were convicted of a crime that carries the possibility of a sentence of life in prison, even if they ultimately received a lesser sentence.
You can apply for expungement no less than five years after you were convicted or released from prison, whichever is later.
Your lawyer will need a certified copy of your conviction from the court where you were convicted, and will help you complete an Application to Set Aside Conviction.
Record expungement in Michigan is no easy task. Elmen Legal can review your criminal record and determine whether you are eligible for expungement. If you are eligible, I can guide you through the process, file the expungement paperwork on your behalf, and represent you in any court proceedings.
After you file your Application to Set Aside Conviction, you will need to appear before a judge who will want to determine whether expungement is appropriate and that you are not likely to commit additional offenses.
I can explain to the judge the changes you have made in your life since your criminal conviction and how expungement will help you continue to move forward without the stigma of a criminal conviction.
Once the expungement is granted, I will verify that your criminal record is actually cleared, especially in any online databases that are available to the public and that potential employers and landlords might use when performing a background check.
At Elmen Legal, I understand the stigma associated with having a criminal conviction and know that it can present obstacles to finding a place to live and advancing in your career.
My name is Robert Elmen and I have dedicated my career to helping people who are facing criminal charges, and to helping people who have been convicted of a crime get back on their feet.
I invite you to learn more about the services I offer and read reviews from other people I have helped. Call (734) 707-8915 or send in a form to contact me today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and how I can help.
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