Could your conviction qualify for expungement? Cooley Law School’s October 9 fair offers an opportunity to ask questions and get help with the paperwork. Registration is encouraged.
By TNCPNEWS Staff
LANSING, MI — People seeking help clearing eligible convictions from their criminal records can receive assistance at Cooley Law School’s fall Expungement Fair on Friday, October 9, 2026.
The event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. in the lobby of Cooley’s Lansing campus, 300 S. Capital Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. Volunteer attorneys and law students working under the supervision of licensed attorneys will help participants with expungement paperwork.
Cooley is hosting the fair in partnership with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Safe & Just Michigan, Ascend Co-Lab for Social Equality and Legal Services of South Central Michigan.
Registration is encouraged. Limited walk-in appointments will be accepted on the day of the event.
A criminal record can create barriers long after someone has completed a sentence. For example, a person seeking housing or employment may continue to face questions about a past conviction during a background check. Expungement, also called setting aside a conviction, can remove an eligible conviction from public criminal records.
Michigan expanded eligibility through its “Clean Slate” legislation enacted in 2020. The expanded application process became available in 2021, and automatic expungement provisions took effect on April 11, 2023.
Some convictions may qualify for automatic expungement, while others require an application. Eligibility depends on the individual’s record and the requirements that apply to each offense. Assistance with paperwork does not mean a conviction will be expunged that day.
According to Cooley, the law school has hosted several expungement fairs since 2023, helping hundreds of people obtain expungements.
The upcoming fair offers residents an opportunity to receive help navigating a process that can affect access to work, housing and other opportunities.
To register, visit the online registration form.
