Set Aside a Michigan Conviction

Michigan law allows a person who only has one conviction or two minor convictions on their record to apply to a court for an order "setting aside" the conviction. A minor offense includes misdemeanors or an ordinance violation for which the maximum term of imprisonment does not exceed 90 days, the maximum permissible fine does not exceed $1,000.00, and that is committed by a person who is not more than 21 years of age.

If the court sets aside a conviction, the conviction is deemed to have never occurred (with a few small exceptions), and the conviction will be sealed from inspection by the public. Various law enforcement/criminal justice agencies will continue to have access to the records; however, they can only use it under narrow circumstances. This is what many other states call expungement or record sealing.