Types of Criminal Records That Can Be Expunged in Indiana

If you’ve been arrested and convicted of a crime in Indiana, it can have long-term effects on your life. It may limit your job opportunities or make it difficult for you to rent an apartment. Fortunately, if you are eligible, you may be able to have some or all of your criminal records expunged. Expungement is the process by which certain criminal records are sealed from public view, allowing those with past convictions a second chance at success without the stigma of their mistakes weighing them down. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of criminal records that can be expunged in Indiana and how to go about doing so.

Call 317-636-7514 for Expungement Legal Services in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 317-636-7514 for Expungement Legal Services in Indianapolis Indiana

Indiana Criminal Records Eligible for Expungement

In Indiana, there are three types of criminal records that can be expunged. These include Class D felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. To qualify for an expungement, you must have been convicted of one or more of these crimes and must not have any pending criminal cases. Additionally, you must wait a certain amount of time before petitioning for an expungement; the specific waiting period depends on the type of crime committed and your criminal history. For example, if you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you may need to wait five years before being eligible for an expungement.

How to Apply for Criminal Expungement

In order to apply for an expungement in Indiana, it is recommended that you consult with a competent criminal defense lawyer who specializes in record sealing and expungement. This is because the process can be complex, and an experienced lawyer can guide you through it from start to finish. The lawyer will help you complete the necessary paperwork and make sure that all of your records are properly sealed so that no potential employers or landlords can access them.

The Average Cost to Have Your Criminal Records Expunged in Indiana

Navigating the process of having your criminal records expunged can often be a difficult and complex endeavor, and understanding the associated costs with such an endeavor is essential. In Indiana, the average cost of expunging a criminal record ranges anywhere from $250 to $1,000 or more. This fee covers the cost of filing petition papers, obtaining court orders and other necessary paperwork fees. Depending on the county in which one resides, there may also be additional processing fees that can range from $50 to $100 or more.

In addition to court filing fees, those seeking to have their criminal records expunged may also need to hire an attorney who specializes in such matters. Attorney fees will vary depending on individual needs and complexity of the case; however, most attorneys charge between $500 and $2,000 for their services. There are some pro-bono or free legal services available in certain counties as well – it is important to research what options are available so you can make an informed decision when considering how to proceed with your criminal record expungement case.

It’s important to note that not all cases will qualify for expungement. Additionally, if a person’s case does qualify for expungement, they should be aware that this process will take several weeks or months before it is completed. It’s thus important that anyone looking into their options for having their record expunged understands both the cost involved as well as the amount of time needed for this process. Doing so can help ensure that one makes an informed decision when pursuing a criminal records expungement in Indiana.

If you’re considering applying for a criminal record expungement in Indiana, make sure to consult with an experienced expungement lawyer who can guide you through the process from start to finish. Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis today at 317-636-7514 to speak with an experienced criminal record expungement lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our services start as low as $850, so act now before it’s too late!

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Can I Expunge My Adult Arrest Record in Indiana?

Anyone with an arrest or criminal record can expect a few roadblocks along the road of life.  This is especially relevant to applying for a job, promotion, professional license, loan, or a residence to rent.  Landlords, supervisors, and managers commonly inquire about criminal histories to better understand the applicant and their capacity to either perform well on the job, pay back a loan, or responsibly take care of a home.

If a person has a criminal record on their personal and public record of any sort, including convictions and arrests, getting hired or approved for a rental is difficult and for some, even improbable. Fortunately, a new law has passed allowing past convicts or persons with criminal histories, to seal their adult criminal records from agencies and organization such as these.

Continue reading to learn more about how to expunge criminal records as an adult, including how to get started and who to trust for legal assistance.

Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Law Firm 317-636-7514
Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Law Firm 317-636-7514

Facts About Sealing Criminal Records for Adults

Criminal record expungement refers to the process in which a person hides or seals their past criminal convictions and arrests from public access. This means if a landlord or potential employer asks if you’ve been arrested and convicted of a crime, you can legally say no.  There are several details and stipulations that are involved with the expungement process, which is why a lawyer is highly recommended.

Not everyone is eligible for expungement so it is important to outsource professional legal assistance to facilitate the process exactly the way it should.  If a person qualifies for expungement but makes a single mistake during the filing process, they lose out on dealing their records and cannot ever file again. You only get one chance to seal adult criminal records.

Understanding State Eligibility Requirements

When it comes to criminal record expungement, there are rules and requirements that a person must have.  For example, depending on the type of charges, a person must wait at least five years from the date of conviction to even think about filing for record expungement.  For more serious crimes, a person must wait at least 8 to 10 years from the date of arrest. 

Also, not all records are eligible for expungement, such as kidnapping, rape, murder, etc.  It is important to hire a qualified and licensed attorney that specializes in criminal record expungement services.  Because this law is new, there are many amateur expungement services available; but be sure to choose a reputable law firm that genuinely understands the law and everything it entails.

Would you like trusted, professional legal help cleaning up your adult criminal record in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to speak with an esteemed Indianapolis Indiana criminal record expungement lawyer, today. Services start as low as $850!

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Who Can Access Expunged Criminal Records?

The new Indiana Second Chance law does exactly what it says it does: it gives residents of the state an opportunity to have another chance at obtaining a better quality of life. However, expunging your criminal records does not actually destroy them forever; they are still accessible by certain groups and branches of the law.

Continue reading to learn the most important concepts of criminal record expungement, including who can still access records even after they have been expunged.

Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer 317-636-7514
Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer 317-636-7514

Indiana Second Chance Law (IC §35-38-9)

The Indiana Second Chance Law (IC §35-38-9) permanently seals a person’s criminal record, prohibiting public access through background check portals. If an employer, landlord, Dean of admissions, bank, or other party runs a background check after your records have been expunged, they will not see any such records on the results. This privacy gives you more opportunities in life, such as job promotions, school enrollments, professional licensing, loan approvals, and more affordable housing.

Who Can See Your Records

It is important to understand that expunged criminal records are not gone and deleted forever. There is a significant difference between a criminal pardon and expungement. After your past criminal records have been expunged, law enforcement agencies are still authorized to access them for the purpose of criminal investigations and proceedings. Although law enforcement and governmental agencies can see expunged criminal records, the general public cannot. This includes friends, family, employers, schools, banks, and more.

How to Expunge Your Criminal Records

There are various qualifiers that determine when and what you can expunge from your criminal records. Some of the most influential factors include the amount of time since the date of the arrest or conviction, the severity of the crime, sentence completion, pending criminal charges, drivers’ license status, and more.

In order to confirm your eligibility and move forward with a criminal record expungement petition, you must consult with a licensed Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who specializes in expungement services. Not only can they tell you whether or not you qualify, they can assist you with the entire petition process, which can be very convoluted and complex.  

Indiana Criminal Expungement Services

Criminal Defense Lawyer Indianapolis Indiana
Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to determine your eligibility for criminal record expungement in Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and prices start as low as $850, so anyone can afford to clean up their criminal history! Whether you are looking to seal or expunge a criminal record, we are the criminal lawyers to trust for a hassle-free petitioning process. Call 317-636-7514 to learn more, today.

Basic Information About Record Sealing and Expungement in Indiana

Indianapolis Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer 317-636-7514

Criminal Record Expungement 317-636-7514

In Indiana, criminal record expungement is now legal, but under very specific circumstances. And petitioners only get one chance at filing for expungement in a lifetime. To make things even sterner, only certain offenses can be expunged, and courts will only grant record expungement based on several key requirements. Not all will qualify, but for those who do, criminal record expungement can open up new doors and new possibilities in various facets of life, including employment, housing, bank loans, financial aid, and more. Continue reading to learn some fundamental information about sealing and expunging
arrest records in Indiana.

What is Expungement?

Expungement refers to the erasure or elimination of criminal convictions and/or arrests from one’s permanent record. Only under certain circumstances does a person qualify to expunge criminal records. Records that are not eligible for expungement, however, may be eligible for criminal record sealing. Records that may be expunged include but are not limited to:

Arrest Records
Misdemeanor Convictions
Level 6 Felony Convictions
Level 6 Felonies Reduced to Misdemeanors

What is Record Sealing?

Sealing criminal records means to restrict them from certain access. The only authorities that can access sealed records are criminal justice agencies, and at times, childcare agencies. Records that may be sealed with restricted access include but are not limited to:

Arrest Records
Misdemeanor Convictions
Level 6 Felony Convictions
Level 6 Felonies Reduced to Misdemeanors
Other Felonies

Which Crimes CANNOT Be Expunged?

Convictions that cannot be expungement or sealed include murder, sex crimes, feticide, manslaughter, reckless homicide, human trafficking, assisting or causing suicide, transfer of contaminated bodily fluids, registered sex offender status, and inappropriate communication with a child or minor.

Where Can I Find Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Petition Forms?
Right Here: Indiana Division of State Court Administration

The process that is required of the petitioner for record sealing or expunging is highly complicated, and revolves around a stringent schedule that’s difficult to follow. One little filing mistake or missed deadline, and a person loses their chance at sealing their public criminal history forever. For these reasons, it is imperative to retain the professional legal counsel of a licensed attorney that’s familiar with the Indiana expungement laws and provides services for filing and petitions.

For Expungement Assistance, Call Attorney David E. Lewis!

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law 317-636-7514

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law at 317-636-7514 to seal or expunge arrest records in Indiana. He works around the clock to ensure your petition is carefully managed and filed in every aspect. And his services start as low as $850, so virtually anyone can afford to clear their criminal records or petty crimes and arrests. Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation, today.