Rep. Wendzel’s bipartisan legislation to make Michigan a national leader in expungement policy sailed out of the Michigan House of Representatives with overwhelming support.

“Today was a huge win for the people of our State,” Rep. Wendzel said. “Expanding expungement eligibility is long overdue, and I’m glad to see Michigan finally take this next big step in terms of reforming our broken criminal justice system.”  Wendzel continued, “This package will help hundreds of thousands of our fellow Michiganders to have a fresh start with access to new and better career opportunities.”

Rep. Wendzel’s plan would:

• Expand the number of people who qualify for expungement;
• Allow marijuana convictions and some traffic offenses to be expunged;
• Shorten the eligibility period for expungement; and
• Establish automatic expungement for certain offenses.

“With the passage of this package, Michigan becomes one of the first states to allow for the automatic expungement of criminal records,” Wendzel said.  “So many people who are currently eligible for expungement never apply for various reason.  Whether it’s fear of going back into the criminal justice system, lack of access to funds, or any other reason, they just aren’t applying.”

Recent data from the University of Michigan has found three empirical findings as it relates to the expungement or set-asides of criminal records. First, of those legally eligible for expungement, just 6.5% obtain it within five years of becoming eligible. Second, those who do obtain expungement have extremely low subsequent crime rates. Third, those who obtain expungement experience a sharp increase in their wages by up to 25% within two years because of their ability to gain access to new and better career opportunities.

“This bipartisan package of bills will open the door for new and better career opportunities for hundreds of thousands of our fellow Michiganders,” Rep. Wendzel said. “A steady, good-paying job is the best way to reduce recidivism and ensure that a person leads a crime-free and productive life.”

More than thirty different organizations from across the state support the bill package including the Michigan, Grand Rapids and Detroit Chambers of Commerce, the ACLU, Americans for Prosperity, and the Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

The bills now advance to the Senate for further consideration.