What Has Changed with the New Law?
● First-offense operating while intoxicated (OWI) convictions are now eligible for expungement. Expungement is a process that allows prior convictions to be removed from an individual’s public record. Expunging a prior conviction can mitigate negative consequences of an OWI such as increased insurance costs and loss of employment opportunities. The new law goes into effect on February 19, 2022, at which point those with a prior conviction may petition to have their offenses expunged.


Who Is Eligible?
● The amended law, MCL 780.621(d), allows those with a first-offense OWI to have that conviction expunged. Those with a previous OWI conviction will not be eligible. An OWI that causes death or serious impairment of a body function of another person will not be eligible for expungement regardless of the offender’s prior record. A person becomes eligible to expunge their first-offense OWI when 5 years have passed since either: (a) their conviction for that offense, or (b) the completion of any sentence handed out for that conviction, whichever comes later.


How Can I Have My First-Offense OWI Expunged?
● The new law requires that any eligible individual must apply to have their conviction expunged under MCL 780.621 and .621d. The offenses will not be eligible for automatic expungement. A court reviewing an application for expungement will not be bound by prior court records, such as at the previous sentencing, and may consider whether the petitioner has participated in rehabilitative or education programs. Our office can help guide you or someone you know through the application and expungement process once it becomes available in February 2022.