“A lot of doors were closed in my face.”ĭoors Johnell’s grateful to help folks reopen, giving them a better shot at staying out of trouble and turning the page on an often painful chapter. “Oftentimes, when people look at your application or your resume… they just look at the fact that there’s a felony,” he explained. Once a struggling addict, Terry now has a doctorate in religious studies, yet still finds new opportunities often elude him because of the black mark that turns up on background checks.

Terry Givens told ABC12 he hadn’t had any contact with police in 25 years now. “I find it very difficult to excel in life in every area.”

Serious misdemeanors or a felony can be expunged after 5 years. Probation and parole sentences can also be reduced as part of this program. Most traffic offenses are included, though any Driving while intoxicated convictions are not eligible. Under the Clean Slate law, up to two felonies and four misdemeanors will be automatically cleared. “I can go get a job if I need one again.” “It means I can get doors open again,” he said. Here, a wait in line, could make a world of difference. People like Robert Massie, Junior, who’s now retired, but still weighed down by several misdemeanors he got back in the 1970s. “People are engaged and understand, guess what, they have a second chance.” “As you can see with the crowd here, this is a phenomenal event already,” Johnell gestured to the crowd gathered behind him. Like his work with Nation Outside Flint-an organization that supports and represents people with records, trying to hit the reset button on their lives – spreading the word at Saturday’s expungement fair, where folks began to line-up around nine Saturday morning. It’s why, since his release three years ago, he’s dedicated his life to helping others who have been in those shoes. “I’m a living witness and testimony of how you can have a second chance,” he related. Trouble with the law put Johnell Allen in the cell where he’d spend most of his adult life. “I stand on the shoulders of countless others.” Saturday’s event at the Dukette School, an expungement fair, was all about getting past offenders the information they needed. Attorneys and advocates were on hand Saturday to give hundreds of flint residents the good word about their chances at that fresh start. The Michigan Clean Slate Initiative promises automatic expungements for certain offenses. (WJRT) ()-A chance for a fresh start- that’s what a new law taking effect tomorrow will give to thousands of people across the state. © Provided by Flint-Saginaw-Bay City WJRTįLINT, Mich.

Clean slate initiative