What You Need to Know About Indiana Expungement

Posted on March 2, 2020 by admin

If you have a criminal record, whether as a minor or adult, this blog is for you. A new law in Indiana allows those who qualify to have certain criminal and arrest records concealed from public access. This could be a better job, income, and overall quality of life for thousands of past offenders. To get started, continue below to learn what you need to know about criminal record expungement in Indiana, and how to find out if you qualify.

Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Law Firm 317-636-7514

Indiana’s Second Chance Law

Also known as Indiana’s Second Chance law, criminal record expungement is a new opportunity that deserves immediate attention from anyone with an arrest, charge, or conviction on their personal record. Those who are approved for expungement will no longer be subjected to the consequences and setbacks of having a criminal record. Employers, whether current or potential, cannot view expunged records, nor can school administration offices, banks, landlords, and the general public. Everything from dating and applying for jobs, to renting a home, earning a degree, and much more, is easier after expungement.

However, not every will qualify. Furthermore, there is another version of expungement known as record sealing, which is less restrictive than expungement.

Difference Between Sealing and Expungement

When criminal records are expunged, they are erased permanently from one’s personal record. In comparison, when records are sealed, they are not erased, but rather hidden. Only law enforcement, governmental agencies, and in some case, childcare organizations, can view sealed criminal records. As for the general public, including employers and landlords, they cannot view sealed records. The requirements for qualifying for record sealing are less strict than the requirements for expungement.

How to Qualify

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.

Convictions that Do Not Qualify:

Murder

Sex Crimes

Feticide

Manslaughter

Reckless Homicide

Human Trafficking

Assisting /Causing Suicide

Transfer of Contaminated Bodily Fluids

Registered Sex Offender Status

Inappropriate Communication with a Minor

How to Petition for Expungement

You must hire a criminal defense lawyer who specializes in the new Indiana expungement laws if you want a good chance at being approved by the state. The process and requirements involved in petitioning for expungement are very complex and confusing to anyone who does not have a law degree. Furthermore, one can only petition for expungement one time, and never again after. This poses high risk since a petition will be rejected for something as little as a misspelled word or missed deadline. An Indiana criminal expungement lawyer will be able to ensure your petition is managed accurately.

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!

How to Clean up Your Criminal History in Indiana

Posted on July 15, 2019 by admin

Your past is in the past, but the same does not apply to your criminal record. If you were ever arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime or infraction in Indiana, including traffic offenses, your criminal report will showcase them. Worst of all, your criminal report is available to the public, which means everyone from your next door neighbor to your employer can look it up and see what kind of criminal history you have on record in the state.

Furthermore, this means that your criminal history affects several significant aspects of your life, professionally, financially, socially, and even in terms of housing. If you have criminal content on your personal record, it is in your best interest to see if you qualify for criminal record expungement or record sealing in Indiana.

Continue reading to learn more about these new Indiana Second Chance laws, including how to determine your eligibility and how to get started on a petition.

CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT

Expungement is the legal removal 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 arrest records, misdemeanors, level 6 felonies, level 6 felonies reduced to misdemeanors, and more.

CRIMINAL RECORD SEALING

Criminal record sealing criminal records refers to the restriction of certain access. Once sealed, such records can only be viewed by particular authorities, such as criminal justice agencies, and at times, childcare agencies. Records that may be sealed with restricted access include arrest records, misdemeanors, level 6 felonies, level 6 felonies reduced to misdemeanors, and more. Indiana arrest records can be sealed after one year from the date of the arrest. But keep in mind that there are more qualifications aside from the amount of time that has passed.

Qualifications

Not all criminal charges and convictions are approved for expungement nor sealing in Indiana. Such offenses 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. If a person has any of these arrests, charges, or convictions on their record, they cannot qualify for expungement.

Warnings

The Indiana Second Chance Laws may not be active for much longer because they are highly opposed by many private organizations and in interest groups. This means they are subject to repeal in the near future. For this reason, be sure to act fast and take advantage of criminal record expungement in Indiana right now. Furthermore, the process is complex and very strict; just one minor filing error can get your application denied, and you can only apply for criminal record expungement ONE TIME in your life. If your application is denied, you cannot re-apply. . For this reason, you need to hire a licensed criminal defense lawyer who specializes in this area of law. They can make sure your petition is completed correctly, and on time.

How to Get Started on Your Petition

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law at 317-636-7514 to learn more about sealing or expunging your criminal records 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.

Where Can I Search for Nationwide Public Record Information?

Posted on May 15, 2019 by admin

You can have access to public records and information on virtually anyone who lives in the United States of America. If you want to access someone’s public records, all you have to do is know where to look. In fact, it is wise to look at your own personal records to ensure your report is correct, and to learn where you can make improvements or set certain restrictions.

Continue reading to learn the best avenues and portals for locating nationwide public records within the country, and who you can trust for reliable legal advice regarding your past criminal records.

What Do Public Records Show?

Public records are exactly what they sound like; a database that acts as an official reporting of all facts related to a person that are accessible to any member of the community. They generally include personal information on an individual, starting from their birth, and ending with their death. Such records keep track of traffic offenses, contact info, deeds and mortgages, social media info, political party affiliations, owned businesses, owned websites, voter registration, election records, court records, births, deaths, marriages, and of course, state and federal criminal records.

Where to Look for Public Records:

✅ DMV

The local Department of Motor Vehicles is a great place to start if you are trying to locate personal or public information on a person in the country. Or just visit the Indiana DMV Public Records page if you are looking for public records within the state.

✅ County Clerk’s Office

You can also visit your local County Clerk’s Office to request public records on any individual within the local county. You will likely have to fill out some forms, show some identification, and wait a few days for the records to be organized into a document for you. There might also be a small fee.

Criminal Record Improvement

If you perform a background check on yourself, and do not like the information that is available to the public, there may be something you can do about it, so long as you qualify. Talk to an Indiana criminal record expungement lawyer to learn your eligibility for sealing or expunging past criminal and court records from your personal record. They can help you petition for expungement, which upon granting, can improve various aspects of your life, such as employment, housing, loans, and confidence.

Indianapolis Criminal Record Expungement Help

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.

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