An overview of the barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities posed by criminal records and their costs; the empirical research on recidivism and desistance, and on the economic impact of criminal record-sealing; on overview of criminal record-sealing policy in Michigan, including the Clean Slate laws that passed in 2020; and an overview of relevant resources and services.

STREET OUTREACH COURT DETROIT
In 2011, Street Democracy began an effort to establish a homeless court in Detroit. In 2012, Street Outreach Court Detroit (“SOCD”) began offering homeless participants the opportunity to resolve open civil infractions and misdemeanors through their efforts to address the root causes of their homelessness. SOCD, by accepting housing, 1 job training, health, and other human services in lieu of payment, gives participants the tools they need to prevent a slide back into instability.