Judge Expunged Virgil Smith's Felony Conviction
Wayne County Circuit Judge Charise Anderson cleared the record of the former state senator.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Wayne County Circuit Judge Charise Anderson granted the expungement of a felony malicious destruction of property conviction for former state senator Virgil Smith. The ruling was issued on October 2, 2026, under Michigan's Clean Slate laws.
Why it matters
The decision marks the final clearing of the former lawmaker's criminal record, following a previous expungement of a firearm-related misdemeanor in 2025. It reflects the application of state statutes intended to provide individuals with opportunities for record relief after serving their sentences.
Judge Charise Anderson granted the request on October 2, 2026, finalizing the expungement process for a felony charge stemming from a 2015 incident. Smith previously served a 10-month sentence in the Wayne County Jail during 2016.
The players
Charise Anderson
Charise Anderson is a Wayne County Circuit Judge who presided over the expungement hearing for Virgil Smith.
Virgil Smith
Virgil Smith is a former state senator who was elected to the Michigan Senate in 2010 before resigning in 2016.
The details
Virgil Smith pleaded guilty to felony malicious destruction of property after shooting at a Mercedes-Benz in May 2015. Following his arrest and conviction, he resigned from his seat in the state Senate on April 12, 2016.
Timeline
May 2015: Virgil Smith shot at a vehicle.
2016: Smith served a 10-month sentence in the Wayne County Jail.
April 12, 2016: Smith resigned from the state Senate.
2025: A misdemeanor conviction for reckless discharge of a firearm was expunged.
October 2, 2026: Judge Charise Anderson granted the felony conviction expungement.
Legal Context
This expungement highlights the ongoing utilization of Michigan's Clean Slate laws to clear criminal records. Such legal pathways allow individuals to move past prior convictions after meeting statutory requirements for record relief.
The clearing of a high-profile record serves as a benchmark for residents navigating the state's expungement eligibility requirements. Locals can monitor how these statutes are applied by the judiciary in Wayne County courts.
The takeaway
Expungement laws are designed to provide a pathway for individuals to clear their records after fulfilling their court-ordered sentences. Citizens seeking similar relief may benefit from reviewing the specific eligibility criteria established under state law.
Further reading
Learn more about local legal proceedings and record relief in the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Detroit Free Press.
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Should individuals with past felony convictions be eligible to have their criminal records expunged?
