A Fresh Start for the New Year: Why January Is the Perfect Time to Start Your Michigan Expungement
January is the month of fresh starts—new goals, new habits, and for many people in Michigan, a chance to finally clear their criminal record. If you’ve been thinking about pursuing an expungement, the beginning of the year is one of the best times to start the process.
A criminal record can hold you back in more ways than you realize. From employment and housing to professional licensing and child custody matters, even a minor conviction can follow you for years. Michigan’s expanded Clean Slate laws now give more people than ever the chance to remove old convictions and move forward without that weight.
Here’s why January is the ideal time to begin—and what you need to know to get started.
1. Courts Reset After the Holiday Slowdown
December is notoriously slow for legal processing. Judges, clerks, and prosecutors take time off, and backlogs build up. By early January, courts return to full staffing and cases begin moving again. Starting early increases your chance of faster progress.
2. It Aligns With New Year Goals
Whether you’re seeking better employment, a professional license, or more stability for your family, clearing your record can be the foundation your goals rest on. Employers often conduct hiring pushes early in the year—expungement puts you in a stronger position.
3. Background Checks Are More Common Early in the Year
Tax-season hiring, seasonal job transitions, and new business cycles increase background checks in Q1. A pending expungement or completed set-aside helps prevent missed opportunities.
Why You Should Start in January
Expungements take time—often several months from start to finish. Starting in January means your record could be cleared before:
- spring hiring season
- professional license renewals
- summer job or housing transitions
- child custody reviews
- new employment opportunities
If you want 2026 to look different, the work begins now. Contact me today to get started.