Below is a general overview of when juvenile records can be set aside in Michigan. Please note that the Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not provide legal advice.
Read the legal policies and statutes for detailed statutory information.
Juvenile Record Clearance Policies Overview
Most juvenile records can be set aside.
You may not be able to set aside your record if you have more than three juvenile adjudications, more than one felony adjudication, or an adult felony conviction. Certain convictions or adjudications are not eligible to be set aside.
Find a Lawyer
If you think you might be eligible to have your record set aside, find a lawyer who may be able to help you. Some lawyers might help you for free, although you may still need to pay a fee to file the paperwork in court.
Court Forms and Resources
If you cannot find a lawyer to help you, you may be able to file a petition on your own using these court forms and resources.
Explore legal service providers located in the state by proximity to a zip code or county.
Contact information for legal aid organizations, bar associations, and other organizations that engage in record clearance work is provided for informational purposes only. The Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not endorse or recommend any organization or individual referenced on the site. If you are a legal service provider who offers record clearance services, please contact us.
Service area: Genesee County
Service area: Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties
Service area: Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties
Service area: Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Kent, Montcalm, Ottawa, Ionia, Allegan, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph counties
Service area: Macomb and St. Clair counties
Service area: Oakland County
Service area: Statewide
Service area: Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties
One or two misdemeanor convictions can be set aside by the convicting court five years after completion of the sentence, provided the person has no felony convictions and no more than two misdemeanor convictions. Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.621(1)(b). Convictions that are deferred and dismissed are considered misdemeanor convictions for determining eligibility under this act. Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.621(2).
View DetailsOne felony conviction can be set aside by the convicting court five years after sentence completion, provided the person has no more than one felony and two misdemeanor convictions. Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.621(1)(a). Convictions that are deferred and dismissed are considered misdemeanor convictions for determining eligibility under this act. Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.621(2).
View DetailsA misdemeanor conviction for criminal sexual conduct entered before January 12, 2015, can be set aside if the petitioner meets certain criteria. Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.621(1)(c). Convictions that are deferred and dismissed are considered misdemeanor convictions for determining eligibility under this act. Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.621(2).
View DetailsRecords relating to cases for which the defendant was granted youthful trainee status and which were dismissed upon final release become nonpublic. Mich. Comp. Laws § 762.14.
View DetailsProstitution-related convictions can be set aside if the offense was committed as a direct result of the petitioner being a victim of human trafficking. Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.621(4).
View DetailsRecords relating to a first-time controlled substance case dismissed after the successful completion of probation become nonpublic. Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 333.7411(1), (3).
View DetailsRecords relating to a first-time domestic violence case dismissed after the successful completion of probation become nonpublic. Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 769.4a(1), (5).
View DetailsRecords regarding a first-time kidnapping-by-parent case that is dismissed after the successful completion of probation become nonpublic. Mich. Comp. Laws §750.350a(4).
View DetailsRecords regarding a first-time case against a health care provider practicing under the influence that is dismissed after the successful completion of probation become nonpublic. Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.430(9).
View DetailsRecords relating to a case dismissed after the successful completion of a drug court treatment program become nonpublic. Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.1076.
View DetailsRecords of biometric data taken at arrest will be immediately destroyed if the person arrested is released without charges. Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.243(7).
View DetailsRecords of biometric data taken at arrest from a person with no prior felony conviction will be destroyed upon a finding of not guilty or nolle prosequi. The records of biometric data can be destroyed upon such finding for a person with a prior conviction. Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 28.243(8), (12).
View DetailsArrest records, all biometric data, and fingerprints are expunged, or destroyed, or both, when charges are dismissed before trial, unless the judge or prosecutor objects within 60 days. Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.243(8).
View DetailsRecords relating to a juvenile with no more than three juvenile adjudications—no more than one of those being an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult—can be set aside if the person is not subject to a disqualifying event and the court determines that public safety will not be compromised. Mich. Comp. Laws § 712A.18e(1), (9).
View DetailsRecords relating to an adjudication that, if committed by an adult, would be theft and use of, or attempted theft and use of, a motor vehicle will be set aside if the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. Mich. Comp. Laws § 712A.18e(10)(a).
View DetailsRecords relating to a prostitution-related offense will be set aside if the person committed the offense as a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking and is not subject to a disqualifying event. Mich. Comp. Laws § 712A.18e(10)(b).
View Details