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!

Related Posts:

Can I Expunge a Low Level Non Violent Felony?
General Q’s and A’s Regarding the Indiana Expungement Law
Information About State Felony Appeals and Criminal Defense

Read This If You Are Confused About Indiana Criminal Record Expungement

Employers, landlords, banks, school admission offices, professional licensing organizations, and even the general public can access municipal record directories to a person’s criminal history. Such access will give someone information about past infractions, arrests, charges, convictions, court sentences, and even rehabilitation orders. Therefore, if you are someone with a criminal record, you might want to know how to restrict these records from public access by taking advantage of the new Indiana criminal record expungement or record sealing laws. Whether you are granted expungement or record sealing will depend on several factors, primarily your individual case history.

Continue reading to learn the basics surrounding criminal record expungement and sealing in Indiana, including how to confirm your eligibility and get started on your petition as soon as today.

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

Hire a Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer in Indiana

If you are having trouble understanding the various laws, restrictions, and processes surrounding criminal record expungement, do not feel defeated. These laws are highly complicated, thus requiring an acute and extensive knowledge of the law to fully understand how it works. So, your best course of action to take is to contact a licensed Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who specializes in appeals and expungement, and who is well-versed in the New Indiana Second Chance Law. Your lawyer will be able to describe all aspects of the relevant law to you with a unique focus on your particular case history. In contrast to law books and legal references, they can debrief you on all your options and requirements in a language you can clearly understand.

Learn About Criminal Record Expungement

The new Indiana criminal record expungement law officially took effect on July 1st of this year.  This law allows people to petition for misdemeanors and Class D Felonies to be expunged or restricted from their personal records.  This means employers would not be able to see criminal histories of potential employees by running standard background checks.  This new law has the potential to change lives for people who have had trouble gaining or retaining employment due to their criminal backgrounds. 

Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies to have their records expunged or sealed.  There are several conditions, restrictions, and requirements that dictate a person’s qualifications for approval.  Fortunately, numerous people do qualify. You cannot truly know until you speak with a lawyer and have them review your case. In order to be eligible, a defendant’s application must establish certain criteria.

Some common ones include time passed, type of crime, habitual offenders, and more.  Furthermore, a defendant cannot have any current or pending charges against them, they must have a valid drivers’ license, and they must have successfully completed their sentence and all legal obligations surrounding their crime, including probation.  If a defendant meets all these conditions, they may be eligible; however, there are still many more types of criteria to pass. Only a lawyer can help you accurately determine your eligibility.

Potential Restrictions

Along with prerequisites and stipulations, there are also restrictions that can prohibit a person from qualifying for criminal expungement.  On this list of restrictions, a person who intends to clear their criminal history cannot restrict this information from criminal justice agencies and child service agencies.  Moreover, a person can only file a petition one time; however, they can petition to expunge several convictions at once if they qualify.

Are you ready to get your petition for criminal record expungement or sealing started today? Contact Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free case evaluation with a licensed criminal record expungement lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Might Also Read:

Who Can Access Expunged Criminal Records?
Criminal Record Expungement FAQS for 2021
Can I Expunge My Arrest if I Am on Probation?

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514
Schedule a Free Consultation Today!

Criminal Record Expungement FAQS for 2021

If you have a permanent record with arrests, criminal charges, or worse, actual convictions, you might just be in luck. Indiana has passed laws that allow those with past criminal records to either erase those records or seal them from the public access forever. But not just anyone qualifies. You must pass the state criteria to be eligible. Have questions? So do many others.

Continue reading to review the most frequently asked questions about Indiana criminal record expungement for 2021, and learn how to get started on your petition now.

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

Expungement FAQS for 2021

What is Indiana Criminal Record Expungement?

No one wants to carry around the stigma of what it means to have a criminal record. In comes Indiana criminal record expungement, which is a court-ordered process that allows those who qualify to conceal or destroy their arrests, charges, and convictions. This process is also referred to as “setting aside a criminal conviction.”

What is the Indiana Second Chance Law?

In July of 2011, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation that permits those who qualify to erase or seal certain parts of their criminal records. You can actually review the revised and condensed decree in Indiana Code 35-38-9, which went into effect July 1, 2013. Us Hoosiers know this legislation as Indiana’s Second Chance Law, as it provides a second chance at life, prosperity, and contentment.

What are the Benefits of Criminal Record Expungement?

With a clean criminal history, you are opening yourself up to a whole new world of opportunities, especially if you have a felony on your record. With sealed or erased arrests and convictions, you place yourself in a position to get a better career, apply for a professional license, get a school loan, a bank loan for a new house for your family, and even enter the dating world without public background checks holding you back! There are many reasons to expunge your criminal records! Even simple peace of mind is enough to persuade you.

Do I Qualify for Criminal Record Expungement?

To qualify for criminal record expungement or sealing, one must meet very specific requirements. The two most influential factors to determining eligibility include the type of conviction and the amount of time that has passed since the date of the conviction. Some convictions cannot be expunged nor sealed, such as murder and sex crimes. However, most arrests and charges that did not end up in conviction can be expunged or sealed.

How Much Does it Cost to Expunge Criminal Records in Indiana?

The cost of criminal expungement in Indiana differs. It all depends on the severity of the conviction, the number of convictions, the location of the convictions, the age of the convictions, and court costs. Fortunately, there are law firms that do not charge a fee for your first consultation.

Who to Trust for Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Help

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law at 317-636-7514 to learn more about appeals and expungement in Indiana. He is eager to help you get the fresh start in life that you deserve! Best of all, his services start as low as $850, so you can afford to clean up your record just as much as the next guy. Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation, today.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514
Schedule a Free Consultation Today!