This article is about which adult convictions you can apply to set aside in Michigan.
To learn about setting aside a juvenile adjudication, read Setting Aside a Juvenile Adjudication.
Some adult convictions will be automatically expunged without an application. There are different rules for the automatic expungement process. Read Automatic Expungement (Set Aside) of Adult Convictions to learn more.
The information below is just for expungement by application.
In 2020 and 2021, new laws made it easier for some people to set aside Michigan convictions. But there are still limits to setting aside a conviction, such as the number of convictions you have, the type of conviction, and when you were convicted. Read each section below to learn more.
The easiest way to find out if you qualify is to use the Do-It-Yourself Expungement (Adult Conviction) tool. If you qualify, the tool will help you fill out the application. To learn about the application process, read Applying to Set Aside (Expunge) an Adult Criminal Conviction.
The Michigan laws that allow people to set aside convictions only apply to Michigan convictions. You cannot use the application process described in this article to set aside federal or out-of-state convictions.
As part of the application process, the Michigan State Police (MSP) will send a copy of your fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a background check. If you have federal or out-of-state convictions, the FBI background check will likely find them. This information will be shared with the MSP, and they will then share it with the judge.
Out-of-state convictions could impact your Michigan expungement application. If you have out-of-state convictions, you may want to speak with a lawyer before you file your application. Read “Finding a Lawyer” at the bottom of this page to learn more.
The new law changes the number of convictions people can set aside by application. There is no limit to the number of misdemeanors that you could have set aside in your lifetime. Up to three felonies can be set aside in your lifetime. Certain types of convictions have more rules about the number of convictions that can be set aside. To learn more, read “The Type of Conviction” below.
If you have more than three felony convictions, you may not be eligible to set aside any convictions by application. However, in some limited situations, multiple convictions may be counted as one. To learn more, read Counting Multiple Convictions as One: The “One Bad Night” Rule below.
There are misdemeanor and felony convictions that cannot be set aside regardless of the total number of convictions you have. To learn more, read “Convictions that Cannot be Set Aside” below.
Counting Multiple Convictions as One: The “One Bad Night” RuleIn some limited situations, you can ask the judge to count multiple convictions as one. To be eligible for this, the convictions must have resulted from the same set of actions within a 24-hour period. None of the convictions can be for:
A dangerous weapon is any of the following:
If you have multiple felony convictions that qualify for the “one bad night rule,” those convictions will only count as one felony. For example, if you have four total felony convictions, but two of them qualify under the one bad night rule, you may still be eligible to set aside your convictions because your total felony convictions will be counted as three instead of four.
If you are not sure whether your convictions qualify for the one bad night rule, you may want to speak with a lawyer before you file your application. Read "Finding a Lawyer" at the bottom of this article for more information.
Certain types of convictions have more rules about the number of convictions that can be set aside by application. Some types of convictions do not require a waiting period. The rules for each type of conviction are listed below. Click any topic to learn more.
Assaultive Crime ConvictionsYou cannot set aside more than two convictions for assaultive crimes in your lifetime. In general, assaultive crimes are crimes that involve physically hurting another person. An assaultive crime includes any of the following:
Sometimes a judge may defer (delay) entering an order of guilt while putting a defendant on probation. The judge may say that if the defendant successfully completes probation, the conviction will be dismissed. A dismissal in this instance means the conviction will not go on the defendant’s public record.
If you have any convictions that were deferred and dismissed, they will count as misdemeanor convictions when determining if you are eligible to set aside a conviction. This is also true if the deferred or dismissed conviction was a felony. You must list these in your application.
It can be difficult to find exact information about these convictions since they should not be part of your public criminal record. You must contact the convicting court to get information about this type of conviction for your application. Because this information is not public, court staff can only give you this information. You will likely need to prove your identity. A photo ID should work, but you can ask the court clerk about this when you call.
Felony Convictions for the Same OffenseYou cannot have more than one felony conviction for the same offense set aside if the possible punishment for that offense is more than 10 years in prison. This does not mean that you had to have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. It only means that the conviction carries a possible sentence of over 10 years.
If you have two convictions for different offenses that carry a possible punishment of more than 10 years, it’s possible you can set both of them aside.
If you don’t know if your possible punishment was for more than 10 years in prison, you need to find out the law or statute under which you were convicted. First, look at your Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) report under the “judicial segment,” or on your certified record of conviction. The statute will start with “MCL” and then be followed by numbers. For example, “MCL 780.621.”
Then, go to the Michigan Legislature’s website to look up the statute. On the legislature’s website, type the MCL number from your ICHAT into the “MCL Section Number(s).” Read the statute to find out the length of time a person may be imprisoned. It is often found towards the end of the statute. If the conviction carries a possible sentence of over 10 years, you cannot set aside a second felony conviction for the same offense.
High Misdemeanors: Misdemeanors with Terms of Imprisonment for More than One YearMost misdemeanors have a maximum jail or prison sentence of one year or less. However, some misdemeanors allow for imprisonment for more than one year. These convictions are called “high misdemeanors.” The Michigan Attorney General or local prosecutor will likely argue that these misdemeanors should be counted as felonies when setting aside convictions.
If one of your convictions is a high misdemeanor, you may want to speak with a criminal lawyer who has experience handling these types of cases before you file your application. Use the Guide to Legal Help to find lawyers in your area.
If you are not sure if your conviction is a high misdemeanor, you need to find out the law or statute under which you were convicted. First, look at your Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) report under the “judicial segment,” or on your certified record of conviction. The statute number will start with “MCL” and then be followed by numbers. For example, “MCL 780.621.”
Then, go to the Michigan Legislature’s website to look up the statute. On the legislature’s website, type the MCL number from your ICHAT or certified record into the “MCL Section Number(s).” Read the statute to find out the length of time a person may be imprisoned. It is often found towards the end of the statute. If the misdemeanor statute allows for imprisonment for more than one year, it will likely be considered a “high misdemeanor”. If the statute doesn't specifically say a conviction can be punishable by more than one year in prison, it is likely a regular misdemeanor.
Traffic ConvictionsThe new law allows for someone to set aside certain traffic convictions. Not all traffic convictions can be set aside.
The following convictions cannot be set aside:
On February 19, 2022, new laws went into effect that allow some first-time offenders with operating while intoxicated (OWI) convictions to set aside their conviction five years after their probation period ends. Only one OWI conviction can be set aside in a person's lifetime. Under the new OWI laws, the following convictions are eligible to be set aside:
If a judge signs an order setting aside a conviction for a traffic offense, in most cases it will not affect your driving record. However, if the judge sets aside an OWI conviction under the new law, this will not remove or expunge the conviction from your driving record with the Secretary of State.
No matter what type of traffic conviction you have set aside, you may still have to work with the Secretary of State to get your driver’s license restored. To learn more, read Restoring Your Driver’s License.
Marijuana ConvictionsIf you have misdemeanor marijuana convictions, you may be eligible to set them aside without a waiting period. Convictions may be set aside if the offense would not have been a crime on or after December 6, 2018. This is the date that recreational marijuana became legal in Michigan.
The judge will assume that violations of the following misdemeanor marijuana laws would not have been crimes on or after December 6, 2018, and can be set aside:
This presumption can be rebutted (disproved) if the prosecutor proves that the activity would have been a crime if committed on or after December 6, 2018. The prosecutor would do this by filing an answer to the application. The burden of proof for the prosecutor in these cases is a preponderance of the evidence. The prosecutor has 60 days from the service date of the application to file their answer and serve a copy on all parties.
If the prosecutor does not file an answer within 60 days, the convicting court must enter an order to set aside the convictions within 21 days without having a hearing on the application. The court will serve a copy of the order on all the parties.
If the prosecutor does file an answer, the convicting court must schedule a hearing within 30 days of receiving the answer. The court must serve a notice of hearing on you, the applicant.
At the hearing, the prosecutor must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the conduct that led to the convictions would have been a crime on or after December 6, 2018. You are not required to present evidence that your conviction was based upon conduct that would not constitute a crime. However, it could sometimes be helpful to present evidence. The rules of evidence do not apply to this type of hearing. This might make it easier for you to present evidence that could help your case without needing a lawyer’s help.
After the hearing, the judge will enter an order denying or granting the application within 14 days. Go to How to Set Aside an Adult Misdemeanor Marijuana Conviction for step-by-step instructions on how to set aside your misdemeanor marijuana conviction.