Free Expungement Help in Michigan
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
Michigan is one of the most favorable states for automatic record clearing. The Clean Slate Act is already working — many Michigan residents have had their records sealed without ever filing a petition. But automatic sealing doesn't cover everything. Certain felonies, traffic offenses, and domestic violence convictions still require a petition. And the automatic program only seals; it doesn't expunge. The distinction matters for some employers and licensing boards. If you're not sure whether your record has been auto-sealed, Michigan Legal Help has a free eligibility tool.
Quick answer: free expungement help in Michigan
In Michigan, free expungement help may be available through nonprofit legal aid, local clinics, court fee waivers, and Clean Slate automatic sealing programs. Start with the verified organizations below, then confirm whether your court costs or filing fees can be waived.
✅ Clean Slate / Automatic Sealing
Yes — Michigan Clean Slate Act (2020) automatically seals eligible misdemeanors after 7 years and most felonies after 10 years. Completely free with no petition required.
How to get a fee waiver in Michigan
Clean Slate automatic sealing is already free. For petition-based set-asides, indigency waivers are available for the $50 fingerprint fee at the court clerk's office.
Fee waivers (also called Affidavit of Indigency or In Forma Pauperis petition) are typically available if your household income is at or below 125–200% of the federal poverty level, or if you currently receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, or veterans benefits based on need.
Who should start with free legal aid?
Start here if money is the barrier
Legal aid is usually the best first step if filing fees, attorney fees, or document costs would stop you from pursuing expungement or sealing. Most programs screen by income, household size, case type, and county.
Use clinics for screening
Expungement clinics are especially useful when you are not sure whether the record qualifies. Bring your case number and disposition so a clinic can tell you whether to file, wait, or use another remedy.
Use fee waivers for court costs
A fee waiver does not guarantee expungement, but it can remove the court filing cost. Ask the clerk or legal aid intake whether your state uses an indigency affidavit, in forma pauperis form, or fee waiver.
Use an attorney for complex records
If you have multiple counties, felonies, pending charges, immigration concerns, licensing issues, or a denied petition, ask legal aid whether you need full representation instead of brief advice.
Documents to gather before calling legal aid
- Government ID and current contact information.
- Case number, arrest date, charge, county, and court name.
- Certified disposition or docket sheet showing how the case ended.
- Proof that probation, parole, fines, fees, or restitution are complete, if applicable.
- Recent proof of income or public benefits if the organization screens by income.
- A short explanation of why you need the record cleared: work, housing, licensing, school, immigration, or family stability.
Verified free legal aid organizations in Michigan
Every organization below is a nonprofit, government-affiliated, law-school, court, or bar-backed resource. Resource links were browser-checked on May 28, 2026, but clinic schedules and eligibility rules change. Always confirm details directly with the organization before relying on a date, income limit, or service area.
- Michigan Legal Help (DIY expungement forms)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Safe & Just Michigan
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Detroit Justice Center
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Western Michigan Legal Services (Grand Rapids)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Legal Services of South Central Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in Michigan
Free expungement resources vary significantly by metro area. Here's what's available in the largest cities, including local legal aid offices, clinics, bar-backed programs, and reentry resources.
Detroit / Wayne County
Detroit Justice Center runs a specific record-clearing project and holds free expungement events in Wayne County. The Legal Aid & Defender Association covers criminal defense through post-conviction relief including expungement. Check Wayne County's court website for upcoming expungement fair dates — these are typically co-sponsored by the prosecutor's office and held at community centers.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Grand Rapids / Kent County
Western Michigan Legal Services covers the entire western Michigan region and offers expungement assistance as a priority service. Kent County Legal Aid has a walk-in clinic on weekday mornings for quick eligibility questions. Grand Rapids Bar Association also runs a free expungement fair annually.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Lansing / Ingham County
LSSCM covers Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Livingston, and Jackson counties. MSU's law school runs a supervised expungement project — students prepare the petition under attorney supervision at no cost. This is a good option for cases that don't qualify for automatic Clean Slate sealing.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Michigan free expungement — frequently asked questions
How do I know if Michigan Clean Slate already sealed my record?
Request your own background check through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system (michigan.gov/msp). ICHAT costs $10 and returns results within minutes. If a conviction that should be auto-sealed still shows up, contact the court where you were sentenced — records are sealed in batches and there may be a processing delay.
Does Michigan expungement remove the record from private background-check companies?
The Michigan court sealing order applies to court records and the Michigan State Police repository. Private background-check companies that cached your record before the sealing may still show it until they refresh their databases — typically within 30 to 90 days of the sealing order. You can send a dispute letter to the background-check company with a copy of your sealing order to speed up removal.
Can I expunge a DUI in Michigan?
As of 2021, one DUI/OWI conviction is eligible for expungement if it meets the statutory requirements: no prior or subsequent DUI, no injuries or death involved, and the waiting period has passed (3 years for misdemeanor OWI, 5 years for felony). Second and subsequent OWIs are not eligible.
What if you do not qualify for free help?
If legal aid cannot take your case, you may still have options: file on your own, request a fee waiver, wait for automatic Clean Slate sealing, or consult a licensed attorney for a paid eligibility review. ExpungeReady currently has Michigan attorney listings you can compare.