News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
91.7FM Alpena and WCML-TV Channel 6 Alpena are off the air. Click here to learn more.

New laws make 200K Michiganders eligible to clear first-time drunk driving convictions

"DUI Chicks getting arrested on Hollywood Boulevard" by hankoss is licensed with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

Thousands of Michiganders could see their drunk driving convictions wiped from public view.

Legislation signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Monday will allow people with one-time convictions for operating while under the influence to ask a judge to expunge that criminal record. Proponents say the changes will give people a fresh start as they apply for jobs and housing.

Doug Scoles leads Michigan’s Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which opposes the changes.

“It sends clearly the wrong message by passing the expungement bill that we don't think alcohol impairment is that serious.”

Offenses that caused death or serious injury are not eligible. The new laws take effect in six months. People who completed probation more than five years ago are eligible to apply.

Related Content