If you were accused or convicted of a crime in the past, your criminal record may continue to hinder your livelihood for years to come. It may show up whenever you apply for a new job or want to move into a new residence. However, did you know that in Indiana, you may be able to have your record expunged?
The ability to wipe a record clean is a relatively new change as the State of Indiana updated its expungement law in 2013. Prior to this time, the ability to expunge a record was strictly limited to cases involving an acquittal, dismissal, or had been vacated. Thanks to these new changes, many individuals who have misdemeanor or felony convictions on their record may be given a second chance.
Who Is Eligible for Expungement?
Eligibility can depend on factors including the type of crime that was committed, how long ago the offense occurred, and if a person has stayed out of legal trouble. If you are not eligible for expungement, you may still be able to have access to your record restricted, meaning that only a few select parties may be able to see a past conviction. If successful, and your record is expunged or restricted, when it comes time to fill out an application, you can legally state that you have not been convicted of a crime.
Considerations for those seeking expungement or restricted access include:
- Typically between five and ten years must pass (depending on the offense) before a conviction may be expunged.
- While a person may be able to remove or restrict multiple convictions, they may only do so once. This means all expungements must happen at the same time.
- A person must stay out of trouble with the law and have no additional felony convictions.
- Certain convictions such as those for violent crimes resulting in serious bodily injury and sex crimes are not eligible for expungement or restricted access.
If you have questions about your past convictions and would like to discover if you may be able to clean up your record, contact my firm today. As a dedicated Fort Wayne criminal defense attorney, I can meet with you and help you to understand the nature of your conviction and your legal options moving forward.
Don’t let a past conviction continue to influence your future. Call (260) 833-7249 or request a free case evaluation online today.
