Tag Archives: Indiana record expungement

Pros and Cons Surrounding the Indiana Criminal Record Expungement Law

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The new criminal record expungement laws are earning mixed reviews among lawyers, legal committees, counsels, and magistrates. The critics are arguing that the new law, permitting past convicted criminals to expunge their records, just doesn’t quite add up. These reconsiderations are now encouraging our communities to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the new record expungement law, and adopt our own outlooks or positions on it.

Indiana Record Expungement

The Indiana criminal record expungement law came into effect last year in an effort to relieve past offenders of their criminal record encumbrances. Its purpose is to allow people with a non-violent criminal record to conceal their criminal histories and arrest records from the public in order to qualify for better jobs and broader personal prospects. It prohibits the public, like employers and mortgage companies, from accessing a person’s criminal history in order to investigate their eligibility and entitlement. This means expunged records will not be revealed on a standard background check.

This new law is gaining much expected popularity among past Indiana offenders and criminals. According to a recent article published by IndianaBusinessJournal.com, this year more than 270 requests for criminal records expungement were received in the first six months just in Monroe County, IN (“Prosecutors: Expungement Law” par. 3). There are two principle arguments that continue to arise when discussing the pros and cons to criminal record expungement. The first argument is that the law gives people another deserved opportunity they have longed for their whole lives; while the second argument remains that the law degrades and debases our country’s justice system by essentially eliminating the long-term consequences of committing a crime.

In the same article published by IBJ.com, Monroe County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Bob Miller was quoted telling the Herald-Times of Bloomington, “On the one hand, it provides a sort of amnesty for people who made a mistake when they were younger that has haunted them since in terms of education and employment. That part is a good thing…but victims can think it unfair for an offender to clear his or her records…”(“Prosecutors: Expungement Law” pars. 5-6). This tells us that there are both positive notes, as well as doubts, no matter which side of the debate you are asking.

Although many will argue that the process of judges and prosecutors granting expungement is becoming very hasty and routine, there are still those who draw the line. Prosecutors in various counties across Indiana are frequently denying requests for expungement where they see it’s not fit or justified. For example, criminals with certain felonies, like sexual or violent crimes, are still requesting expungement but not receiving approval because of the severity of their crimes. The unfortunate part is, judges are not allowed to weigh testimony from victims when a person is being reviewed for expungement. This means that many people that may not deserve a clean record are getting one anyway.

Works Cited: “Prosecutors: Expungement Law Has Good, Bad Sides.” Indiana Business Journal, 20 July 2014. Web. 07 Aug. 2014. http://www.ibj.com/prosecutors-expungement-law-has-good-bad-sides/PARAMS/article/48674

Indiana Expungement Lawyers

Call 317-636-7514 to expunge your criminal records in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are reputable and adept Indianapolis expungement lawyers that are well-versed and proficient in the new Indiana criminal record expungement laws. Call us today at 317-636-7514 to learn more about criminal record expungement in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

How Soon Can You Expunge Criminal Records?

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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 took place, or a run-in with law enforcement occurred, it was added to their criminal record. Currently, a new law recently passed 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. There are several stipulations when it comes to qualifying for criminal record expungement. Not only are there prerequisites for qualifying, there are rules about time-frames and how long a person as to wait to be eligible for expungement. Continue reading to learn these stipulations and perquisites to expunge criminal records.

Criminal Record Expungement

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 a drunk-driving or 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 seal-able; such as murder, sex crimes, kidnapping, and other felonies. Some states do allow record expungement for felonies at all; only misdemeanors and arrests.

Indianapolis Criminal Record Expungement

Call 317-636-7514 for accurate information and consultation regarding criminal record expungement in Indiana. Our Indianapolis attorneys have decades of experience practicing law in Indiana, and are well-versed in the new Indiana expungement laws. We offer free initial consultations to assess your circumstances and determine your eligibility for record expungement. If you want to expunge criminal records in Indianapolis, IN, call 317-636-7514 right away.

What Can Criminal Record Expungement Services Do for You?

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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 to counter all of these negative consequences is that a person can now have their arrest and conviction records expunged in certain states. Continue reading to learn how the expungement process operates, and how expunging criminal arrest records can better a person’s life.

Expunge Criminal Records

Expunging a criminal record does not mean that you are now not-guilty of a prior conviction or arrest; it simple seals or hides your criminal record from the public eye. Although you are still found guilty of the crime or offense, the proof that the arrest or conviction exists is only visible by law enforcement and government. Landlords, employers, job applications, banks, and more cannot ask about or find proof of expunged criminal records. This service is a delicate one that requires expert focus and exact operation. One mistake can cost a person a lifetime of regret because it is the law that a person can only file for expungement once in their life. One mistake means your chance is over and gone forever. It is highly advised to hire a lawyer that has extensively studied the expungement law, and knows how to file appropriately.

Certificate of Actual Innocence

One of the highest and most powerful forms of criminal expungement is receiving a Certificate of Actual Innocence. Not only does this type of expungement seal prior records, it proves that the arrest and charges should never have existed at all. If a person is arrested and charged with a crime that are later dropped, they can get the arrest completely removed from their record and show that it never should have happened to begin with; as well as, an actual certificate that states they were never guilty of anything.

Indianapolis Criminal Record Expungement Services

For Indianapolis criminal record expungement services, call Expunge Criminal Record Indiana at 317-636-7514. We are highly proficient in the new Indiana expungement laws and processes; and can help you or a loved one remove criminal records and arrests. Get better jobs, rent apartments, and more with an expunged criminal record. Visit our webpage at http://www.expungecriminalrecordindiana.com/expungement.php for details about our services and attorneys. For criminal record expungement services you can trust and afford in Indianapolis, IN, call Expunge Criminal Record Indiana 317-636-7514 today.