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Free Expungement Help in Michigan

Last reviewed: May 27, 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.

Important: This page provides general legal information about expungement and record sealing laws. It is not legal advice for your specific situation. Eligibility rules vary by state, county, and individual circumstances. Always consult a licensed attorney before taking any legal action.

✅ 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.

Verified free legal aid organizations in Michigan

Every organization below is a verified non-profit or government-affiliated legal aid program. None are paid services. Always confirm your eligibility directly with the organization.

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 clinic schedules and local contacts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

More Michigan expungement resources