How Expungement Can Improve Your Future in Indiana
Every time a prospective employer, landlord, business partner or even a domestic partner does a background check, they may discover you were convicted of a crime. In the current job market, with many people applying for one job, it is even more likely that you could get passed over based upon a conviction—even one that occurred years in the past.
Do not allow your past to hold you back from the future you have worked hard to obtain. Let our Fort Wayne expungement attorney help you seek an expungement of your criminal record so you can move forward with your life.
Crimes that are Eligible for Expungement Under Indiana's New Laws
If a criminal arrest is expunged, information about the arrest is not available in a background check made by any public person. This process, when successful, allows you to have the record of your conviction vacated or restricted so that you can move forward without fear that your future prospects will forever be compromised due to a past conviction.
On July 1, 2013, Indiana's new expungement law went into effect, making it possible for many individuals to seek post-conviction relief. As long as no charges against you are pending, you do not have a suspended driver's license and you have not been convicted of another crime for a certain number of years, you may be able to request an expungement of your criminal record.
Eligible crimes may include:
- Misdemeanors & D Felonies Reduced to a Misdemeanor
If convicted of a misdemeanor (e.g. possession of marijuana), you may be eligible for expungement 5 years from the date of your conviction; however, it must also be true that you have not been convicted of a crime within the previous 5 years and you have successfully completed your sentence. - D Felonies Not Reduced to a Misdemeanor
If convicted of a D felony (e.g. second OWI offense), you may be eligible for expungement 8 years from the date of your conviction; however, it must also be true that you have not been convicted of a crime within the previous 8 years and you have successfully completed your sentence. - All Other Felonies Not Including Those for Serious Bodily Injury
If convicted of a felony that does not include serious bodily injury (e.g. sexual misconduct), you may be eligible for expungement 8 years after the successful completion of your sentence; however, it must also be true that you have not been convicted of a crime within the previous 8 years. - All Other Felonies Including Those for Serious Bodily Injury
If convicted of a felony that includes serious bodily injury (e.g. armed robbery), you may be eligible for expungement 10 years after the successful completion of your sentence; however, it must also be true that you have not been convicted of a crime within the previous 10 years.
Looking for post-conviction relief? Contact my firm for help.
If you are concerned about your criminal record or any past arrest or conviction, I can help. There are many cases in which all of these matters can be thoroughly resolved and you will no longer have to deal with the prejudice that can result when an arrest or conviction is found on your record.
It is essential to deal with this problem through the proper legal channels. Our Fort Wayne expungement lawyer can advise you as to whether or not your arrest or conviction is eligible for an expungement and if so, how you can seal your criminal record.
If you are interested in expunging your record, contact our Fort Wayne criminal defense lawyer today! | (260) 833-7249
