Gun Lake Tribe hosts free expungement fair to clear records

For many in West Michigan, a past conviction can feel like a locked door — one that keeps out better jobs, safer housing, and opportunities for education. On Oct. 4, the Gun Lake Tribe is offering a key.

The tribe will host its first expungement fair from noon to 4 p.m. at the GLT Administration Building, 2872 Mission Drive in Shelbyville. The free event is open to the public and designed to help people determine if their convictions are eligible for expungement, complete applications, receive fingerprinting, and learn the next steps in the process.

“Expungement is really life-changing for people,” says Jordan Chrispell, staff attorney for the Gun Lake Tribe. “It opens up job opportunities, helps people find better housing, furthers education, and even creates chances to volunteer. It really provides a chance to start over with a clean slate.”

Chrispell says the fair aims to make the Clean Slate Law more accessible by simplifying an often-daunting process. Volunteer attorneys will guide attendees through eligibility checks and paperwork, while the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department will provide fingerprinting, a requirement for the application.

Pre-registration is encouraged at tinyurl.com/2025GLTExpungementFair, but walk-ins are welcome. Attendees don’t need to bring anything with them.

“This event is open to everyone, not just tribal citizens,” Chrispell says. “The tribe is always looking for ways to be a good community member, and we’re excited to help people with this.”

While many offenses qualify, some cannot be expunged under Michigan law. Those include:

• Operating while intoxicated (OWI), second offense, or felony OWI, third offense
  
• Any offense punishable by life
  
• Traffic offenses committed by a commercial driver’s license holder while operating a commercial vehicle
  
• Traffic offenses causing injury or death
  
• Felony domestic violence with a prior misdemeanor domestic violence conviction
  
• Criminal sexual conduct (CSC) first, second, or third degree
  
• CSC fourth degree if committed on or after Jan. 12, 2015
  
• Out-of-state or federal convictions
  

The expungement process can take up to eight months, depending on the courts. But Chrispell says the long-term payoff is worth it. Once expunged, convictions become nonpublic, allowing people to legally state on most applications that they were never convicted.

“For most people, this is about getting a fair shot at work, housing, and education,” Chrispell says. “That’s why the tribe is offering this service for free. It’s about helping people move forward.”