Can I Have a Felony Expunged from My Criminal Record?

Having a felony on your record can feel much like having a kettle ball tied to your ankle for the remainder of your life. Fortunately, there are new state and federal laws passing in many states allowing past offenders the opportunity to conceal their arrest records from the general public. This is called criminal record expungement. Not everyone qualifies for criminal record expungement, as there are many stipulations and prerequisites. Eligibility depends on a number of variables, making no two cases alike. Arrests, violations, and misdemeanors can all be expunged, but felonies are trickier. Continue reading to learn more about criminal record expungement and who to call to see if you qualify in your city or state.

Felony Convictions and Expungement

If a person could conceal a felony conviction that has been haunting them for quite some time, they could change their lives. They could apply for loans, buy a home, rent an apartment, and apply for jobs they would never have qualified for in the past. Fortunately, with the new criminal record expungement laws, this can be a real-life option for some. What this means is, some candidates may be granted record expungement by a judge depending on the type of felony conviction and their criminal history. So yes, sometimes a felony can be expunged if a person qualifies.

Felony expungement works differently in every state because every state has different laws regarding rules and eligibility. In a case that a felony might be expunged, a person would only have one felony and the crime was something non-violent, and perhaps even an accident. For example, if you have a felony charge for receiving multiple DUI’s, and are now a recovering alcoholic, a judge might consider granting them expungement rights. But again, this is all very dependent on a person’s individual situation and their criminal history. If a past habitual offender wants to expunge a felony conviction, they might have a much harder time.

The best way to determine your eligibility for criminal record expungement, and your best chances at successfully doing so, is to consult a licensed attorney that provides these services. Lawyer fees generally start around $900, give or take, depending on the law firm and the complexity of a client’s case.

The Law Office of David E. Lewis

Call 317-636-7514 for accurate and reliable information regarding criminal record expungement in Indiana. Our seasoned attorneys are well-versed in the new Indiana criminal record expungement laws, and are eager to help get a fresh start to life! Our law firm offers expungement representation services for as low as $850! Get D felonies, arrests, DUI’s, and misdemeanors concealed for good in Indiana! Call 317-636-7514 and schedule a consultation to determine your eligibility for criminal record expungement in Indianapolis, IN today.

Criminal History Providers Forced to Make Changes for New Indiana Expungement Laws

With the new Indiana expungement options in place, criminal history providers must make changes to the methods of revealing criminal accounts for anyone who has had their criminal records expunged. Criminal history providers are organizations and companies that allow businesses, employers, and general public to see any person’s criminal record and past convictions. These providers are also called background screening companies (CRA’s) and commercial database companies. They are popularly called background checks, criminal record checks, and criminal history look-ups.

Criminal archives show arrests, jail time, convictions, charges, and more. Now that Indiana has passed criminal record expungement laws, individuals who qualify can have their records sealed from public access. This means criminal history providers and background check services must limit the way they reveal a person’s public records in compliance with the expungement new laws.

Criminal Record Expungement

In order to qualify for criminal record expungement, a person must exhibit all prerequisites mandated by law. Depending on the amount of time that’s passed since the date of the conviction, current criminal mischief, the crime or conviction committed, and more, an individual may or may not qualify, or not qualify just yet. It is important to consult an Indianapolis criminal record expungement attorney to determine a person’s eligibility. You can only file to expunge your criminal records once in a lifetime. If even one tiny filing mistake is made or overlooked, it can cost you your investment into attorney fees and your opportunity to conceal your criminal records for good. A licensed attorney, well-versed in the new expungement laws, can accurately guide you through the process or implement the filing work for you to ensure accuracy.

Once a person’s criminal records are expunged, criminal history providers must prohibit revealing:

• Arrests w/o Convictions
• Infractions w/o Convictions
• Charges w/o Convictions
• Record or Proof of Expungement
• D-Felonies Converted to A-Misdemeanors
• Inaccurate Records

Criminal History Providers Must Also:

1. Complete an Annual Record Inspection to Make Sure All Records are Current and Updated, and All Information is Accurate and True

2. Annually Remove All Inaccurate and Incorrect Information in Records

3. Only Disclose Accurate and Precise Information Pertaining to a Conviction

Criminal Record Expungement Attorneys

Call 317-636-7514 for help with filing for criminal record expungement in Indiana. Get accurate advice and legal counsel for expunging criminal records in Indianapolis, IN. Costs start at only $850, and range depending on criminal history and convictions. Call 317-636-7514 to file for criminal record expungement in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Facts and Fiction

There is a new law in Indiana that allows qualified individuals to conceal their past arrest and criminal records from the public, and it has many people talking. With all the facts and fiction being spread regarding this new law, it is important to distinguish what is actually true and which rumors are false. Continue reading for accurate answers to the most common criminal record expungement questions in Indiana, as well as, what you may hear but shouldn’t believe.

Criminal Record Expungement is the Legal Concealment of Past Convictions, Arrests, and Charges. TRUE!

Under the new Indiana law, expunged criminal records are concealed from the general public, and only made available under limited circumstances. Once expunged, they can only be released by court orders or made accessible to law enforcement that is acting on official duty.

Potential Employers Cannot Find Expunged Records While Performing a Standard Employee Background Check. TRUE!

Records that have been expunged cannot be accessed by any individual performing or running a background check. They are concealed from employers, banks, leasing offices, and more. It is illegal to discriminate against any person for a conviction, arrest, or charge that has been expunged. This means an employer cannot fire or choose to not hire an individual based on a criminal charge that was expunged.

Anyone Can Qualify for Criminal Record Expungement. FALSE!

Individuals must qualify for criminal record expungement by meeting certain requirements and criteria. Depending on the crime, charge, or conviction, individuals must wait at least 5 years before applying to have their records expunged. And that’s just for misdemeanors and minor charges. For more serious convictions, more time is required to pass before a person can qualify. It can be as high as 10 years or more before someone with a felony charge or conviction can expunge their records. And many will never qualify at all based on other requirements. Consult an Indianapolis expungement lawyer for more details about qualification requirements.

Minors Can Expunge Criminal Records. FALSE!

Individuals with convictions, arrests, or charges from when they were a minor can have their records expunged if they meet all other criteria; however, an individual under the age of 18 must wait until they are a legal adult before they can qualify for expungement. So, juvenile criminal records can be expunged, but a person must be at least 18 years of age before filing for expungement.

Individuals Can Only File for Expungement Once in their Lifetime. TRUE!

A person may only file a petition to have their criminal histories expunged one time and one time only. If they make one filing error or mistake, they lose their chance to expunge their criminal records. This is why it is vital to hire a lawyer for accurate filing and processing.

Indianapolis Expungement Lawyers

Call 317-636-7514 for details about filing for criminal record expungement in Indiana. We are well-versed in the new Indiana record expungement laws, and can discuss your eligibility to expunge your criminal records. Call 317-636-7514 and schedule a consultation to discuss criminal record expungement in Indiana, today.