Expungement or Record Sealing: Which Do I Qualify For?

If you are taking the steps to clean up your public criminal record, you already know that the very first step is learning whether or not you qualify. In addition to determining if you are eligible, you must also determine what you are eligible for. That is because there are two primary kinds of criminal record clean up. A person can either have criminal records expunged, or they can have them sealed. The difference between the two are significant to your process, so be sure you understand the requisites for both.

Continue reading to learn more about criminal record expungement and sealing, including how to get started on your petition.

Criminal Record Expungement Attorney 317-636-7514

Criminal Record Expungement Attorney 317-636-7514

Record Sealing

If a person was arrested and found guilty, or pleaded guilty, to a charge, then they can only apply to seal their criminal records. This means these records will not be physically destroyed and will still be accessible by the police, federal government, FBI, immigration, and all other public officials. However, when criminal records are sealed, they are no longer visible on public background check databases or accessible by employers, landlords, and other general public.

Criminal Record Expungement

A person can only expunge arrest records that never ended in a conviction. This means arrests that were later dropped, acquitted, or dismissed can be completely expunged from physical and online databases. Although government officials and police can still access these records, just as they can sealed records, the general public cannot ever see them and a person can legally claim to never have been arrested.

Determine Your Eligibility TODAY

Even though you can understand the difference between criminal record expungement and sealing, you cannot know which one you qualify for, for sure; not until you meet with a licensed Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who is well-versed in the Indiana criminal record expungement and sealing laws and procedures.

The process of petitioning for criminal record expungement is intensive and challenging. It requires professional legal assistance, no matter how confident you are that you can do it on your own. Individuals can only petition for expungement and record sealing once in their life, and a small error, like a misspelled name or missed deadline, can revoke your chances forever.

Expunge Indiana Criminal Records

Criminal Record Expungement 317-636-7514

Criminal Record Expungement 317-636-7514

Call 317-636-7514 to expunge criminal records in Indiana. We offer criminal record expungement services starting as low as $850! As a seasoned criminal defense law firm, we are well-versed in the new Indiana expungement laws, and know exactly how to file and obtain a legal expungement, successfully. Call our office at 317-636-7514 and schedule a free initial consultation to determine your eligibility, today.

Types of Criminal and Arrest Records That Qualify for Expungement

If you have a criminal record, whether a conviction, a charge, or just an arrest or detainment, it is in your best interest to have such records removed or sealed from public access. Just be sure to ACT NOW before the Indiana Second Chance laws are no longer available. They are not popular among many, posing the risk of abolishment at any moment.

There are many types of records that can be expunged or sealed, depending on what you qualify for. Scroll down to review information about the most common types of criminal records expunged everyday.

Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer

Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer 317-636-7514

Arrest Records (If No Conviction Resulted)

A father of two, who was arrested once in their college days for public intoxication in Indiana but never convicted, is now able to have that arrest cleared from their criminal record. This is a perfect example of how the new expungement law can help. A person arrested more than a year ago, but never convicted of a crime, can have that arrest removed from their criminal record with the help of our experienced criminal attorneys in Indianapolis.

Misdemeanor Convictions (Including Class D Felonies Reduced to Misdemeanors)

Everyone made mistakes; especially when we were young. It is common for people to have insignificant misdemeanor convictions on their criminal records; such as operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI or DUI), shoplifting, check fraud, small narcotic possession charges, battery without injury, and more. Often times, these misdemeanor convictions can be removed from a person’s record with the help of a skilled attorney. Our knowledgeable attorneys can give you the details on how to get your record cleared of misdemeanors for good in Indiana.

Class D Felony Convictions

If a class D felony was not reduced to a misdemeanor charge, a person may still have a chance to get it expunged from their criminal record in Indiana. Class D felonies such as theft, OWI/DUI with priors, intimidation, fraud, and drug possession, can all be cleared from a person’s criminal records so long as they meet all the eligibility requirements. For details about the Indiana expungement eligibility requirements, call our law office at 317-636-7514 today.

Other Felonies

Other felonies, more serious than a class D felony, can be expunged from a criminal record. This does not include sex offenses, homicide, human trafficking, sex crimes, and more. Although there are more stringent requirements for this type of expungement case, a court may still rule in a person’s favor. This all depends on whether or not they meet the eligibility standards, their most recent criminal activity, and more. Call our law office for details about felony expungement in Indiana.

Hire a Lawyer Before You Apply

It is strongly recommended to discuss all of your questions and concerns surrounding criminal record expungement and sealing with a licensed Indianapolis criminal defense attorney who is well-versed and experienced in these laws. They can provide a personalized investigation and assessment of your case and determine whether or not you qualify. From there, they can assist with your petition process to ensure everything is filed properly. Just one simple error or missed deadline can deny you the second chance at petitioning, which is why having a professional do the work for you is so critical to your case.

Call 317-636-7514 to expunge criminal records in Indiana. We offer criminal record expungement services starting as low as $850!