Expungement Lawyers Ottawa County

Expungement Lawyers Ottawa County

Once you serve your sentence after being convicted of a crime in Michigan, you probably expect that the matter has been resolved and will not affect your future. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are numerous collateral consequences because your case remains part of your criminal record. You could experience challenges with employment, as well as financial and educational opportunities. Fortunately, you may have options for setting aside a conviction under the Michigan expungement statute. Expunging your criminal case clears your record, so a conviction will not show up in a background check. You can also legally state that you have not been convicted of a crime.

Our team at Van Den Heuvel Law Office will advise you on eligibility to set aside a conviction and handle all essential tasks. We have been assisting clients with these cases since 1992, so we have the knowledge and experience necessary to manage the process. Please contact us to set up a consultation with one of our expungement lawyers in Ottawa County. An overview is also useful. 

Automatic Expungement

Recent changes to the laws made by Michigan’s Clean Slate Act enable qualifying individuals to clear their records automatically. You may be eligible if you were convicted of:

• Any misdemeanor punishable by 92 days or less;
• Four types of misdemeanors that carry sentences of 93 days or more; and,
• Two types of felonies, which are classified as such under criminal laws and punishable by at least one year.

There are several offenses that are excluded from automatic expunction, so you do not qualify if you were convicted of assault, human trafficking, fraud, and other designated crimes. However, you may still be eligible to apply to set aside a conviction.

Expungement by Petition

The Clean Slate Act also expanded the types of convictions that can be set aside by petitioning the court. In general, you can expunge an unlimited number of misdemeanors and up to three felony convictions in certain categories. However, there are specific rules to note: 

• Some misdemeanor and felony convictions cannot be set aside, no matter the number.
• With certain offenses, there is a limit to how many you can expunge in your lifetime.
• There is a waiting period before you can file a petition to expunge.

How an Expungement Attorney Can Help

Van Den Heuvel Law Office will guide you through the process to set aside the conviction, so trust our lawyers to:

• Assess eligibility for expungement;
• Assist in gathering necessary documents to support the petition;
• Complete your petition to set aside a conviction;
• Prepare you for the hearing on your petition for expungement;
• Represent you during the hearing in court, where the judge will decide whether to grant your petition.

Contact Our Expungement Lawyers in Ottawa County for Additional Details

A summary about setting aside convictions in Michigan is useful, but you can see how important it is to have experienced legal representation. The Van Den Heuvel Law Office will support you throughout the process, so please contact us today to set up a consultation with an experienced attorney.