You Only Get One Bite at the Apple – It Takes a Great Lawyer to Get it Right

If you have a felony conviction or misdemeanor convictions on your record, you are undoubtedly concerned about how your record is negatively impacting your life.

Imagine clearing your record and unburdening yourself of past mistakes.

Criminal convictions impact your job, your finances, and even your family. You could be denied employment, certain government loans or assistance, the right to possess firearms, and in some cases, even lose your professional license. Up to 80% of employers are running background checks before hiring new employees, and many employers search criminal records when considering a possible promotion. Having your record cleared can open doors that were previously closed to you. With an expungement motion, one or more convictions can be set aside.

Michigan Expungement Lawyers Who Can Help

Let us help you start over with a clean slate by getting your convictions removed from your record.

The Michigan Expungement Lawyers at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have successfully helped clients start over with a clean slate by getting their past criminal convictions removed from their record. A recent change in Michigan Expungement Law now allows a person to have up to three felony convictions expunged even if they have other misdemeanors convictions. Unlimited misdemeanors can now be expunged from someone’s criminal record, including most traffic offenses and even an OWI conviction.

What are the qualifications for expungement?

You must meet the following requirements before submitting your application for expungement to the court:

You must wait for three, five, or seven years after your conviction, discharge from parole or probation, or the completion of your jail sentence, whichever date is the latest (you may have the waiting period waived if you were convicted of a prostitution offense, and you were the victim of human trafficking). It is best to let an experienced lawyer determine the necessary waiting period for your situation.

You must not have more than three felony convictions on your record before petitioning the court (you can file an expungement motion to set aside unlimied misdemeanor convictions).

The term “conviction” is now broadly defined under Michigan’s expungement laws. After being taken under advisement, offenses that were previously dismissed from your record now count as misdemeanor convictions.

Convictions Not Subject to an Expungement Motion to Set Aside Conviction

An offense that is punishable by life in prison.
Criminal sexual conduct, with some exceptions for criminal sexual conduct of the 4th Degree convictions before January 12, 2015.
Some traffic offenses, such as OWI causing a serious injury or death.
Some child abuse convictions.
A domestic violence felony conviction, if there was a previous conviction for domestic violence.
Human trafficking violations.

The Expungement Process – A Motion to Set Aside a Conviction is Complex

The expungement process can be lengthy and involves drafting numerous documents and gathering specific court records. It is essential to have a Michigan Expungement Lawyer who has the experience, knowledge, and understanding of the process to represent you in court. The fact is that most people who apply for an expungement either without a lawyer or with an ineffective lawyer are not successful, and you may not get a second bite at the apple. Everything must be done right the first time! The attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. collectively have decades of experience representing clients seeking an expungement of the criminal record.

How an Expungement Attorney Can Help with a Motion to Set Aside a Conviction or Several Convictions

Experience is invaluable when petitioning for an expungement. Circuit Court judges have different biases and preferences. Saying the wrong thing or failing to address an issue that concerns a particular judge can be fatal to your attempt to clear your record. An attorney with vast experience seeking expungements will know each judge and how to best advocate in their courtroom.

Few lawyers handle expungements similarly to LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. Most attorneys file the minimally necessary court forms and then hope for the best when they get to court. Our attorneys will take the time to get to know you and learn about your life story following the criminal conviction(s). We will work with you to get evidence of all of the positive things you’ve done and accomplished and present the information to the court in a comprehensive, detailed, and highly persuasive memorandum before the hearing. The judge will know about your best qualities and attributes even before entering the courtroom.

Michigan Expungement Attorneys with a Track Record of Success

When you call us, we will take the time to talk with you, review all of the measures we take to prepare to win an expungement, and review our strategy in these cases. LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. has an unparalleled track record of success setting aside prior convictions through the expungement process.

Don’t trust your fate to the lowest bidder or an inferior lawyer. If an expungement Motion to Set Aside Conviction is unsuccessful, you will have to wait three years before filing a new request for expungement. The stakes are high, and when trying to accomplish something essential to your life, it is not the time to take chances.

Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.