DETROIT – A free expungement fair for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties will be held Saturday at Johnson Recreation Center, 8550 Chippewa St., Detroit. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteer attorneys will review eligibility, explain the process and help people complete the necessary forms at no cost. Organizers say the service is intended to clear or reduce qualifying criminal records to improve employment and housing prospects.
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Not all convictions are eligible for expungement. Federal convictions, capital offenses and most criminal sexual conduct convictions generally cannot be expunged.
State law limits how many convictions can be sealed. The information provided for this event says a maximum of three felonies may be expunged. People may expunge an unlimited number of misdemeanors, up to two assaultive crimes, one DUI and some other traffic offenses. Attendees should ask on-site attorneys to confirm how those categories apply to their records.
Waiting periods depend on the offense. The fair’s summary lists these time frames:
- More than one felony: seven-year waiting period.
- One felony or more than one serious misdemeanor: five-year waiting period.
- One or more non-serious misdemeanors: three-year waiting period.
- Misdemeanor marijuana convictions: no waiting period.
The waiting period generally begins after a person completes their sentence, including probation or parole. People seeking expungement should obtain certified copies of their convictions from the court where they were convicted and bring those documents to the fair.
Attendees should expect lawyers to provide legal advice and form-completion help on-site. The notice does not specify whether attorneys will file expungement motions on behalf of attendees, whether the event requires registration, or whether organizers will provide interpreters or accessibility accommodations.