Criminal record expungement is a tool used to give past offenders a second chance. The requirements and procedures vary among jurisdictions, but virtually all states have enacted laws that permit people to clean up their criminal record given that they qualify. The only catch is that the eligibility requirements are usually very restrictive, and diverge state to state.

If a person does qualify for criminal record expungement, and subsequently approved, they will no longer be obligated to disclose their criminal past to anyone, including potential employers, landlords, banks, and more. What it does not mean is that the record is gone. There is another form of expungement called record sealing, and it delivers much of the same benefits. The only difference is what happens to the criminal records.

A person may qualify for record sealing but not expungement, and vice versa. Regardless of which process you qualify for, you can rest assure that your charges, conviction, and any other court-ordered penalties, will be hidden from the general public. This includes probation, especially if your only penalty was probation.

Record Sealing

When a person has a criminal record sealed, the record is hidden from the general public access. This means that landlords, bankers, employers, and the general public cannot access your criminal records. The only parties who will have access to your sealed records is law enforcement agencies and certain governmental organizations. In Indiana, you may qualify for record sealing if your conviction was vacated, your charges dismissed, or you were found not guilty. Of course, there are several other requirements to qualify. These are just some primary points to start with. Talk to a criminal record expungement lawyer for information about your eligibility.

Record Expungement

When a person has a criminal record expunged, it is essentially eliminated from their criminal record. There is no possibility of anyone, including law enforcement, to ever see the record again. The qualification requirements are incredibly strict, but it gives those who were innocent of a crime a second chance to clean up their record and make it as it rightfully should be. In Indiana, a person may qualify for expungement if they were never actually charged with a crime, or the charges were later dropped as a result of specific reasons (i.e. mistaken identity, actual innocence, etc.).

All states require a waiting period before a person can qualify for either option. These range between a few years and up to 15 years. Talk to a criminal defense lawyer to learn your eligibility for record expungement or sealing.

Indianapolis Criminal Expungement Lawyer

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to learn your eligibility for criminal record expungement in Indiana. He is well-versed in the new Indiana criminal record expungement laws, and 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.