Volunteer attorneys and law students participated in an Expungement Fair at Cooley Law School on March 6. This year’s event screened 185 individuals through the pre-registration and onsite walk-in process, with 88 individuals qualifying for expungement.
On March 6, Cooley Law School held an Expungement Fair to aid in the removal of certain arrests and convictions from qualifying individuals’ public criminal records. The event was held in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Safe & Just Michigan, Ascend Co-Lab for Social Equality, and Legal Services of South Central Michigan.
This year’s Expungement Fair screened 185 individuals through the pre-registration and onsite walk-in process, with 88 individuals qualifying for expungement.
“Everyone deserves a chance to show that they are more than their mistakes,” said Karen Poole, director of career and professional development, Cooley Law School. “Michigan’s expungement law gives citizens the opportunity to do just that.”
Volunteer attorneys and law students under the supervision of licensed attorneys assisted with expungement paperwork. Criminal offenses that have been expunged are no longer accessible to employers or landlords. Michigan law has always allowed for expungements, but the “Clean Slate” legislation enacted in 2020 made more individuals and offenses eligible for expungement.
The expungement process became available to the public in 2021. On April 11, 2023, the automatic expungement provisions went into effect, allowing for the automatic expungement of some felonies and misdemeanors. Under the new law, individuals with up to three expungement-eligible felonies and any number of misdemeanors can have their records expunged. Certain traffic violations and first-time operating while intoxicated offenses can be expunged. Additionally, misdemeanor marijuana convictions that would not have been considered crimes after recreational marijuana was legalized in Michigan can be expunged.
Cooley Law School has hosted several Expungement Fairs since 2023, which has resulted in hundreds of individuals being able to have their criminal records expunged.
This year’s Expungement Fair screened 185 individuals through the pre-registration and onsite walk-in process, with 88 individuals qualifying for expungement.
“Everyone deserves a chance to show that they are more than their mistakes,” said Karen Poole, director of career and professional development, Cooley Law School. “Michigan’s expungement law gives citizens the opportunity to do just that.”
Volunteer attorneys and law students under the supervision of licensed attorneys assisted with expungement paperwork. Criminal offenses that have been expunged are no longer accessible to employers or landlords. Michigan law has always allowed for expungements, but the “Clean Slate” legislation enacted in 2020 made more individuals and offenses eligible for expungement.
The expungement process became available to the public in 2021. On April 11, 2023, the automatic expungement provisions went into effect, allowing for the automatic expungement of some felonies and misdemeanors. Under the new law, individuals with up to three expungement-eligible felonies and any number of misdemeanors can have their records expunged. Certain traffic violations and first-time operating while intoxicated offenses can be expunged. Additionally, misdemeanor marijuana convictions that would not have been considered crimes after recreational marijuana was legalized in Michigan can be expunged.
Cooley Law School has hosted several Expungement Fairs since 2023, which has resulted in hundreds of individuals being able to have their criminal records expunged.
Volunteer attorneys and law students assist clients and those in need during Cooley Law School’s 2026 Expungement Fair.
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