Unlocking Opportunities: The Benefits of Expunging Your Criminal Record in Indiana

Posted on February 12, 2024 by admin

Expunging a criminal record is more than a legal process; it’s a pathway for individuals to reclaim their stake in society. In the state of Indiana, the right to expunge past convictions and arrests offers a fresh beginning, enabling former offenders to unlock opportunities that were previously out of reach. For those navigating the complexities of the legal system and looking to rebuild their lives, this blog post will serve as a comprehensive guide to understanding and engaging with the expungement process in Indiana.

Call 317-636-7514 to Speak With an Expungement Lawyers in Indianapolis

Introduction to Criminal Record Expungement in Indiana

The expungement process allows individuals to seal criminal records, preventing general public access. In Indiana, this process is critical for those with past legal issues who wish to move forward without the stigma of their criminal history. An official expungement order effectively hides the details of an arrest or conviction from the public eye.

Petitioning for Expungement

Indiana law provides for the expungement of certain criminal records for eligible individuals. A petition for expungement must be made to the court where the conviction occurred. Once granted, the record is no longer part of the individual’s criminal history and is not included in a standard background check.

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

To be eligible for expungement in Indiana, several conditions must be met. These include satisfying waiting periods, completing all sentencing requirements, and remaining crime-free during the waiting period. Certain offenses, such as those resulting in serious bodily injury or death, are generally not eligible.

The Importance of Legal Counsel

Navigating the legal intricacies of the expungement process can be daunting. Hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney who is well-versed in Indiana’s Second Chance Law is a crucial step. An expungement lawyer will guide you through the process, ensuring that all requirements are met, and petitions are completed accurately, maximizing the chances of success.

Benefits of Expunging Your Criminal Record

The decision to pursue expungement brings with it a myriad of advantages that can profoundly impact your life and future opportunities.

Improved Job Prospects and Career Opportunities

One of the most significant benefits of expunging your record is the ability to pursue career advancement without the shadow of past offenses. Record expungement allows individuals to apply for jobs and licenses without the fear of being disqualified due to their criminal history.

Regaining Voting Rights and Eligibility for Public Benefits

Expunging a criminal record also restores civil rights, including the right to vote. Additionally, it reinstates eligibility for important public benefits, providing a support system for individuals who choose to re-engage with civic life.

Enhanced Housing Options and Rental Opportunities

Securing housing is often challenging for those with a criminal record. An expunged record can make it easier to find rental properties and avoid discrimination from landlords or housing authorities.

Restored Reputation and Peace of Mind

The emotional toll of carrying a criminal record can be significant, especially in the dating and social world. Expungement offers peace of mind, closure, and the opportunity to be seen for who you are now, rather than for past mistakes.

Navigating the Expungement Process

Embarking on the expungement journey involves careful planning and a clear understanding of the steps involved. Before filing a petition, it’s important to understand the process fully. Begin by obtaining a copy of your criminal record and assess your eligibility. The Indiana Judicial Branch website provides valuable resources, including forms and instructions for the expungement process.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Each expungement case is unique, and complexities and challenges may arise. Issues such as incomplete paperwork or objections from the prosecuting attorney can slow the process. Working closely with your attorney to address these challenges is paramount.

Conclusion

Expunging a criminal record is a legal process with the power to transform lives. It’s a chance to turn the page, to claim the second (or third or fourth) chance that every person deserves. By recognizing and embracing the benefits of expungement, individuals can set themselves on the path to a brighter future.

If you or someone you know is considering record expungement, take the first step by consulting with an experienced attorney. With legal guidance and a willingness to pursue the opportunities available through expungement law, the residents of Indiana can rewrite their narrative and unlock the full spectrum of their potential.

Don’t let the past define your future—take control and seize the opportunity to expunge your record today. Contact our respected lawyers for affordable criminal record expungement services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our fees start as low as $850, and we never charge for initial consultations.

Do Teenagers Have the Right to Expunge Arrest Records in Indiana?

Posted on October 27, 2020 by admin

When a person has a criminal record, it can create a downhill spiral of consequences for life. Whether a person was arrest, convicted, or both, a record will hold them back from certain benefits and advantages in normal society. Taking out a bank loan, applying for a job opening, renting an apartment, and more can create obstacles for someone who has been arrested or convicted of a crime. The good news is that a person can now have their arrest records purged in certain states if they qualify. The better news is that teenagers can also petition for criminal record expungement in Indiana.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about juvenile criminal record expungement in Indiana, including how to turn in an application before the end of the year.

Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer 317-636-7514

The Definition of a Juvenile

An individual who is 17 years old or younger is considered a juvenile in the eyes of the law. When a kid under the age of 18 years old is arrested for a crime, they are generally charged as a juvenile. But if they are over the age of 14, and the crime they committed was a serious felony, the courts and state may decide to try them as an adult. In these cases, the crimes are pretty serious or extensive. Courts do this to not only set an example, but to also make a point to service the right amount of justice where deserved.

To clear up the confusion, a minor is someone who is restricted to do something due to their age, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and voting. A juvenile can be a juvenile and a minor, while someone who is 18 is not a juvenile, but being under the age of 21 makes them a minor in terms of alcohol.

When a Juvenile is Tried as an Adult

If a minor is over the age of 14, and the crime they commit is serious, the state may decide to try them as an adult. In terms of expungement, a juvenile must wait a certain number of years, without committing any other crimes in between, before they can even qualify at all. Once this time limit is up, generally between 5 and 8 years, they can begin to inquire about further eligibility. But some crimes are never eligible for expungement, including murder, sex crimes, arson, human trafficking, and more.

Expunging Misdemeanor Arrests

If a minor was convicted of a lesser crime, such as a misdemeanor or Level 6 felony, there is possibility for expungement. Depending on their past criminal history, this eligibility may change. Whether a juvenile was tried as an adult or not, there may be a chance for qualification. Each individual case is different, which is why it is important to consult a licensed criminal lawyer for accurate evaluation and

How to Turn in Your Juvenile Expungement Application in Indiana

Call our Indianapolis criminal record expungement lawyers at 317-636-7514 if you would like to petition for restricted access or expunge an arrest from your criminal record in Indiana. We are happy to provide free initial consultations to discuss your case without any out-of-pocket obligations. Don’t let price worry you. Our rates start as low as $850! Whether you are looking to seal or expunge a criminal record, we are the criminal lawyers to trust for a hassle-free petitioning process. Take advantage of this Indiana expungement law and get your criminal record expunged this year!

Can I Expunge My Criminal Record Yet?

Posted on July 27, 2020 by admin

When a person has been arrested, convicted, charged with a crime, or all three, then this information will stay on their permanent record. Criminal records retain information about an individual’s criminal history. Every time an arrest takes place, or a run-in with law enforcement occurs, it is added to a person’s criminal record. Currently, a new law recently passed in Indiana allows people with past criminal histories to expunge their records and seal then from the public eye.

This means employers, landlords, loan officers, mortgage brokers, and the public cannot access a person’s criminal record once expunged. However, there are several stipulations when it comes to qualifying for criminal record expungement. Not only are there criteria for qualifying, there are rules governing time-frames, namely how long a person must wait to be eligible for expungement.

Continue reading to learn how long you have to wait until you are qualified to expunge your criminal records in Indiana.

Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Office 317-636-7514

Criminal Record Expungement Basics to Know

Depending on the crime committed, a person must wait at least five years since the date of any conviction in order to be eligible for expungement. For more severe or serious crimes, like felonies, a person must wait at least eight to ten years before qualifying for record expungement. Many people that have heard about this new law are excited and eager to get their recent arrests and charges sealed for good; however, this law doesn’t work that way. It is not intended to clear a person’s record and wash away their accountability in a crime; instead, it is meant for people who made mistakes in their past that wish to conceal these arrests for future, healthy endeavors.

For example, a husband and new father has an OWI arrest on his record from his college days. He wants to apply for the new promotion at work to better support his family, but cannot get the job because he has a criminal history. This man would benefit greatly from the new criminal record expungement law. He can have this long-ago arrest conceal from his employers so that he may be looked at as a potential candidate for the upcoming promotion. This law is not intended to seal a prostitution arrest from a month ago, so a woman does not have to do more jail time the next time she is arrested on the streets.

There are various other stipulations when it comes to criminal expungement eligibility. Not everyone will qualify and be granted expungement rights, even if the required amount of time has passed since the arrest. Certain crimes are not sealable, such as murder, sex crimes, kidnapping, and other felonies. Some states do allow record expungement for felonies at all, only misdemeanors and arrests.

How to Get Started on Your Indiana Expungement Petition

Call our Law Office at 317-636-7514 to learn your eligibility for criminal record expungement in Indiana. We are skilled criminal defense lawyers who are eager to help you get the fresh start in life that you deserve! Our 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 consultation, today.

Do My Background Check Results Really Matter?

Posted on June 29, 2020 by admin

When you first learn that you are subject to a background check, you might not think much of it. But after the reality sets in that someone will be viewing all of your criminal, and possibly civil, personal records, you might feel differently. Most people are anxious to have a background scan, especially if they have a criminal history. If this is a similar case to yours, you too might wonder how impactful or important your background check results are.

For help, continue below to review the basics surrounding background checks, including the various types available, and how their results might affect a person’s life, both personally and professionally.

Criminal Record Expungement Attorney 317-636-7514

What is a Background Check?

A background check is a process used to verify that a person is who they say they are. They can be used to verify the acumen and qualification of a worker, or to ensure that a potential partner does not have a violent past. However, employers and the general public are not the only markets for background checks. Background checks are also used by law enforcement, courts, admissions offices, rental companies, loan offices, landlords, professional licensing branches, and more. In fact, there are various types of background checks that exists, some offering only a limited view of basic information, and others that are highly-detailed and go back very far into a person’s past.

Common Types of Background Checks:

✏ Criminal Records
✏ Driving Records
✏ Employment History
✏ References Check
✏ Rental History
✏ Education Records
✏ Sex Offender Registry Check
✏ Credit Score Background Check
✏ Social Media Background Check
✏ Internet Background Check
✏ Professional License & Certification Check
✏ Social Security Number Trace

Do Results Matter?

As mentioned, there are several parties that use background checks. When applying for a job or promotion, your background check results will tell an employer whether or not you are hire-able. When applying for a loan or rental home, a bank will want to check your personal records, and an apartment complex or landlord will want to view your rental history. If any of the results come back unsatisfactory, you could be denied a loan or a rental home. When trying to get into the school of your dreams, or even a program to obtain a certification, you can bet that the admissions office will run a background check to verify that you are a good candidate.

In most cases, the only personal record you really have to worry about is a criminal record. When employers, landlords, banks, and more, see that you were arrested or convicted of a crime, it sends up a giant red flag. Automatically, any applicant that does not have a criminal record will be more qualified than you. So, what can a person do that has a criminal record, but wants to be eligible for great jobs and housing? The answer is criminal record expungement.

Criminal Record Expungement Services in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call our Indianapolis expungement lawyers at 317-636-7514 if you have a criminal record in Indiana that you would like to clean up this year. Our law firm is well-versed in the Indiana criminal record expungement laws, and charges as low as $850 for our services. Whether you are looking to seal or expunge a criminal record, we are the criminal lawyers to trust for a hassle-free petitioning process. Call 317-636-7514 to learn more, today.

Do All States Allow Criminal Record Expungement?

Posted on June 19, 2020 by admin

With so many laws being passed and repealed every day, it’s hard to keep up. And although most people are unaware of new laws being passed in their state, there is one new law that many cannot afford to ignore. Criminal record expungement is now legal in several states within the country. This new law allows past criminals to seal or restrict their past arrests and convictions from public view. There are endless benefits to this law, but not all states have approved it yet.

Continue reading to learn more about criminal record expungement and which states have approved the law.

Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer 317-636-7514

Expunging Criminal Records

The new criminal record expungement laws have the ability to change people’s lives in a dramatic way. With certain criminal records weighing over a person’s head and lingering on their public record, there are certain consequences. Aside from criminal stigma and judgement, a criminal record can hold a person back from any benefits that require a background check. This includes applying for a loan, renting an apartment, getting a job, and more.

Now, in cooperating states, people have the opportunity to have these past criminal records sealed or restricted from the public, with the exception of police and government officials. This allows people to take advantage of certain benefits, like better jobs and home loans, and live a better life. Most states have adopted this new criminal record expungement law, but some are still lingering on the back burner. Since most states have not approved and passed this new law, it is more efficient to list the ones that have so far.

Here is a list of states that allow criminal record expungement:

Indiana
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Illinois
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Ohio
Utah
Texas
Tennessee
Washington

Although these states have approved the criminal expungement law, it is not a permanent law. They have only approved it for a trial period. And since there are several opposed to this law, there is no telling when or if it will get repealed. This means it is important to take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts. The only catch is that not everyone will qualify for criminal record expungement.

There are guidelines that one must meet to be eligible to conceal or expunge their criminal records. This is why it is necessary to hire a licensed criminal attorney for accurate and professional help. A person can only file one time in their life, and just one mistake can take that chance away. A lawyer can determine your eligibility and ensure everything is carried out precisely.

How to Start Criminal Record Expungement in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call 317-636-7514 if you have a criminal record in Indiana that you would like to clean up this year. Our law firm is well-versed in the Indiana criminal record expungement laws, and charges as low as $850 for our services. Whether you are looking to seal or expunge a criminal record, we are the criminal lawyers to trust for a hassle-free petitioning process. Call 317-636-7514 to learn more, today.

Expunge Criminal Record Indiana

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