Educational Guide • Expungement
How Michigan Expungements Work
An educational walkthrough of Michigan's set-aside (expungement) process under the Clean Slate law, including eligibility, the MC 227 packet, fingerprint requirements, and timing.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.
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A Michigan expungement (set-aside) removes a conviction from your public record. Under Clean Slate, many records clear automatically. Otherwise, file an Application to Set Aside Conviction (MC 227) in the convicting court, get fingerprinted, and serve the Attorney General, Michigan State Police, and prosecutor.
Key points
- Michigan now allows automatic and application-based set-asides under Clean Slate.
- Most misdemeanors clear automatically after 7 years; felonies after 10 years.
- Application-based set-asides use the MC 227 packet filed in the convicting court.
- You must be fingerprinted and serve the AG, MSP, and prosecutor.
- Hearing is typically 5–7 months after filing.
The process, step by step
- 1
Pull your ICHAT record
Request your Michigan criminal history through ICHAT to confirm what shows on your record.
- 2
Confirm eligibility
Check Clean Slate waiting periods, conviction caps, and excluded offenses (e.g., serious assaultive crimes, CSC, traffic offenses with limited exceptions).
- 3
Prepare MC 227 packet
Complete the application, sworn statement, fingerprint card, and supporting affidavits.
- 4
Get fingerprinted
Take the prepared fingerprint card to a local police agency. The card and a $50 processing fee go to MSP.
- 5
File and serve
File in the convicting court. Serve copies on the Attorney General, MSP, and the prosecutor that handled the case.
- 6
Attend the hearing
About 5–7 months after filing, the judge holds a hearing and decides whether to grant the set-aside.
| Conviction type | Application waiting period | Automatic Clean Slate |
|---|---|---|
| Most misdemeanors | 3 years | 7 years (if eligible) |
| Serious misdemeanors | 5 years | 7 years (if eligible) |
| One-time DUI (first offense) | 5 years | Not automatic |
| Felonies (eligible) | 5–7 years | 10 years (up to 2 felonies) |
| Marijuana misdemeanors (pre-2018) | Immediate (presumption) | Yes |
In-depth explanation
What 'set aside' means
A granted set-aside removes the conviction from public criminal history reports and most background checks, though law enforcement and certain licensing bodies retain access.
Excluded offenses
Certain convictions cannot be set aside, including most criminal sexual conduct, traffic offenses causing injury or death (with narrow exceptions), and convictions carrying life sentences.
Why hearings get denied
Common reasons include incomplete fingerprinting, failure to serve all required agencies, new convictions during the waiting period, and missing court costs/restitution.
What trips people up
- Skipping the AG, MSP, or prosecutor service step.
- Filing an application before the waiting period expires.
- Listing the wrong court (must be the convicting court).
- Forgetting to attach the certified copy of the conviction.
- Assuming all marijuana cases clear automatically — most do, but verify.
Direct answers to common questions
How long does a Michigan expungement take?+
From filing to hearing is typically 5–7 months. Automatic Clean Slate set-asides are processed by MSP without a hearing.
How much does a Michigan expungement cost?+
$50 fingerprint processing fee to MSP. There is no court filing fee for an Application to Set Aside Conviction.
What is Clean Slate?+
A 2021 Michigan law that automatically clears certain misdemeanors after 7 years and up to two felonies after 10 years, without an application.
Can I expunge a DUI in Michigan?+
Yes — a single first-offense OWI is now eligible for set-aside through an application after a 5-year waiting period.
Will my record clear automatically?+
Many eligible misdemeanors and up to two eligible felonies clear automatically under Clean Slate. Run an ICHAT check to confirm.
Do I need an attorney for an expungement?+
No. The set-aside process is designed to be self-represented. Clear Path prepares the MC 227 packet for you to file.
What disqualifies someone from expungement?+
Pending charges, certain assaultive felonies, criminal sexual conduct, most traffic offenses, and recent convictions during the waiting period.
Can I expunge multiple convictions?+
Yes — current law allows multiple misdemeanors and up to two felonies, with limits on how many serious offenses.
Does an expungement restore gun rights?+
A Michigan set-aside generally restores rights under state law, but federal restrictions can still apply for some convictions.
Official Michigan resources
These links go directly to government and public-interest sources for self-represented litigants. Always verify form numbers and procedures with your local court.
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Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.