Grand Rapids DUI/OWI Expungement Attorneys 

Handling DUI cases throughout Western Michigan.

            Michigan House Bills 4219 and 4220 amended Michigan’s previous record keeping regarding drunk driving convictions. Prior to this new legislation, a drunk driving could never be expunged. However, as of April 23, 2021, these bills have now become law, opening the door to drunk driving expungements. 

If you have been convicted in Michigan of Drunk Driving (whether Operating While Intoxicated or Operating While Impaired), you may be able to expunge the conviction from your doctor. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you to determine if you are eligible for a drunk driving expungement and guide you through the process. There are many factors that need to be considered to determine whether or not you are eligible for an expungement, and it is important to work with an attorney who understands drunk driving laws in Michigan. 

Contact us by calling (616) 227-3737 today!

            A first time drunk driving is generally eligible for expungement after five years from the date you were last under court jurisdiction. However, if you have more than one drunk driving conviction, you are not able to have either conviction expunged. During the five year waiting period, you must not be arrested or convicted of any other crimes. You are not eligible for an expungement if someone was injured or killed as a result of your drunk driving conviction, if you were driving a commercial vehicle using a CDL license, or if you received a drunk driving ticket and there was a minor in the vehicle with you. In summary, you can only have one drunk driving and have waited five years since your completed sentence. 

            The courts began hearing drunk driving expungement cases mid-February 2022. It takes time to properly prepare a petition and obtain the necessary documents required, so if your one time drunk driving sentence was completed almost five years ago, now is the time to get started! 

            The expungement process can be lengthy and complicated. The application itself contains numerous pieces, including a copy of your criminal record, a notarized application, and your fingerprints. Copies of all of these documents must be submitted to the Court, prosecutor, the Attorney General, and the state police. Finally, you must attend a hearing before a judge. Individuals can complete this process on their own, however, if a mistake is made there is a three year waiting period until you can request another expungement hearing. 

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record if Not Expunged?

In Michigan, if a DUI conviction is not expunged, it remains on your criminal record indefinitely. This means that unless proactive steps are taken to have the offense removed, it will be visible to anyone who conducts a background check, including potential employers, landlords, and insurance companies. A DUI conviction can severely affect job opportunities, housing applications, and even result in higher insurance premiums due to the increased risk associated with a prior DUI offense.

Michigan's laws do not allow a DUI to automatically disappear from your record after a set period. Without expungement, the DUI will stay on your record permanently, which could have long-lasting consequences for your future. However, under recent legislative changes, first-time DUI offenders may now be eligible to seek expungement after a waiting period of five years from the completion of their probation. This is a crucial step for those seeking to clear their record and move forward with a clean slate.

For individuals with multiple DUI convictions or those whose offense involved serious injury, death, or certain aggravating factors, expungement may not be an option. In those cases, the DUI will remain on the record for life. Consulting with an attorney familiar with Michigan's DUI expungement process is essential for understanding the best legal avenues available.

Why You Should Hire Us to Be Your Grand Rapids Expungement Attorney

            Our office approaches expungements head on. While many attorneys and individuals will just file the “required” documents, we file an extensive petition. We want the judge to know about you, your successes, and your life before going in front of them for the hearing. We want the judge to know you as a person, not just another case number in front of them. We gather letters in support from family and friends, employment history, and any other helpful information to make you and your application stand out. We zealously advocate for you at your hearing and make sure the judge understands how far you have come since your past mistakes.

            If you are looking to have your drunk driving conviction expunged from your record, contact us for a free confidential consultation. Call (616) 227-3737 today!