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In 2016, Detroit legislators started a program called Project Clean Slate to give residents with criminal histories second chances; they recently celebrated the expunction of 10,000 convictions.

An Expungement Milestone

In May 2024, Detroit’s Mayor Mike Duggan and other city officials participated in a celebration of the 10,000th criminal record that was expunged because of Project Clean Slate. The Mayor said they were able to accomplish this because they established a court docket which was dedicated to accelerating the process.

Attendees praised the program and noted that having criminal records expunged gives people a sense of empowerment. Numerous studies have shown convictions can be a detriment to individuals when they attempt to obtain jobs, housing and other essentials. After getting a record expunged, the person may act as if it never occurred.

About Project Clean Slate

According to the website, the primary purpose of Detroit’s Project Clean Slate is to help residents expunge criminal records and improve access to better employment, housing, and educational opportunities. It also says that around 215,000 people in the city have convictions and nearly 170,000 should be eligible for expunction.

The program is free to residents and helps them advance through the steps of getting a record expunged. Representatives from the organization handle various tasks to make this happen, including:

• Setting up meetings with the Detroit Police Department so petitioners may submit their fingerprints, which is a requirement, at no charge.
• Working with the Third Circuit Court to establish allowances for the electronic filing of records, because older physical documents are often difficult to find.
• Coordinating with the Michigan State Police to conduct searches via their Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) for about $10 per search.

By establishing these connections, Project Clean Slate has empowered thousands to more easily and efficiently "erase" records from their past.

What Employers In Detroit Should Know

Businesses in Detroit should be aware this group is helping many individuals expunge eligible criminal records. Further, they should know that once a conviction is expunged, it cannot be considered by employers when they are making decisions about consumers.

Second Chance practices are becoming extremely common throughout the United States. Therefore, employers everywhere should understand that people are having non-violent records expunged. One of the best ways to help prevent hiring managers from inadvertently reviewing these records is to work with a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) which is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). To earn accreditation, CRAs must show that they follow reasonable procedures to only include current, accurate, reportable data in the background reports they offer.

Complaint Background Checks

If your organization needs employment background checks, please contact us. We are an accredited CRA with more than 20 years of experience as a leader in the screening industry. Our knowledgeable, friendly team can help you customize screening packages that meet your business needs and comply with relevant laws.

Backgrounds Online is a service-first CRA that partners with our clients to help them make informed decisions, maintain safe workplaces and find top talent. Based in California, our team is available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.