ADRIAN — A process that began in October led to nine people having felony convictions expunged from their records during brief hearings last week in Lenawee County Circuit Court.

The people took advantage of the county's first 2nd Chance Fair, which brought together the Lenawee County Bar Association, the county public defender’s office, Michigan Works Southeast, Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) and the county Friend of the Court to help identify people who might be eligible to have felony charges removed from their records. The goal was to allow individuals to be able to live their lives without the challenges brought about by a criminal record, such as in finding jobs or housing.

To be eligible, the convictions had to be for nonviolent offenses and their probation or incarceration had to have been completed at least five years ago. They also can't have had more than one felony and two misdemeanor convictions and not have any cases pending.

During the hearings Wednesday before Circuit Judges Anna Marie Anzalone and Michael R. Olsaver, the former defendants were asked what they've done with their lives since the convictions and how having their cases removed from their records would help them.

"I don't sell pot anymore, I can tell you that much," Dennis Bordner of Tipton told Olsaver. He was convicted in 1979 of selling marijuana. He said he's been married for 37 years and is retired from his job in the plumbers and pipefitters union. He said he would like to teach his grandchildren how to hunt.

"Being a felon, I can't teach them that aspect of life," he said.

It is illegal for felons to possess firearms.

Bordner told the court he'd like "just to be able to hunt with my grandkids and vote, to say I'm not a felon."

While waiting for a copy of the expungement paperwork at the county clerk's office in the judicial building, Bordner said having a felony record didn't hurt his career in construction. Still, he said, now "I can be a regular person."

Hunting was mentioned by others. Stanley Marshall said when he was convicted in 1998 of breaking and entering a building with intent he was a "young kid doing dumb things." He said he's "done a lot of growing up" since then and would like to be able to hunt with his son.

Finding a good job and removing barriers to renting an apartment were also mentioned.

Dan Bump III, who had a 2003 conviction for methamphetamine possession expunged, said he's been clean since then and gained custody of his daughter shortly after his conviction. He said he wants "to be able to get a good job."

Jerry Fox was convicted in 1979 of breaking and entering an occupied dwelling. He said he's had applications to rent apartments rejected when the property owners do background checks.

Collin Herrick said he's had trouble finding a job but is working on becoming a master certified technician at an auto dealership.

Nikki Love told Anzalone that finding work handling money "is really hard." Her 2003 conviction for embezzling more than $1,000 was set aside.

Trent Borton had a 1992 conviction for malicious destruction of property expunged. Patsy Curtis had a 1997 embezzlement conviction set aside.

Daniel Solis told Olsaver the experience of being convicted of attempted identity theft in 2007 was a "huge learning experience" and a "huge blessing" in that it put him on a path to make connections with a company that invested in him and allowed him to get a college degree. He said he now volunteers with kids who are in similar situations to what he was in then.

Having the conviction set aside "gives me some self-dignity back," Solis, of Adrian, said after the hearing. He said it will open up more career opportunities and is a weight off his shoulders.

Two other cases on Wednesday's dockets were not heard. Assistant Lenawee County Prosecutor Jennifer Bruggeman said it was determined those cases were not eligible for expungement now, but changes in state law may make them eligible in the future.