Category Archives: Indiana Criminal Record Expungement

Learning the Difference Between Criminal Pardons and Criminal Expungement

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As of right now, there are laws passed in Indiana that allow past convicts and criminals to conceal their public arrest records. Records can be fully sealed or partially sealed, depending on a person’s qualifications. All cases are different, but these records can include certain felonies, arrests, charges, convictions, misdemeanors, and more. There is a strict guideline that decides who is qualified for criminal record expungement, as well as, a rigid application process that often times throws individuals off course. This is why professional legal counsel is necessary for anyone who wishes to have arrest records expunged. There are also application fees and several other types of prerequisites.

Legal Pardons

A legal pardon is entirely different from criminal expungement. Although, their similarities makes it understandable why many confuse the two terms with one another. A legal pardon is the government’s way of forgiving a person for their crime or crimes. Depending on the state, if a person has a crime pardoned by the government, it will most likely still show up on public databases, but it will also show that the person was pardoned for the incident.

Criminal Expungement

In contrast to being pardoned for a crime, criminal record expungement does not “forgive” an individual for the crimes they committed, but they will treat it as though it never happened. It is a classic case of forgive or forget, where pardons are “forgiving” and expungement is “forgetting.” When a person has their arrest records expunged, they no longer show up on public databases, and they are no longer penalized for their past criminal history. They are free to apply for jobs, bank loans, apartments, and more!

The Law Office of David E. Lewis

Call 317-636-7514 for detailed explanations regarding the new criminal record expungement laws in Indiana. We are well-versed in the new Indiana expungement laws and can determine your eligibility today! Expungement prices start at $850 so schedule your initial consultation as soon as possible. Anyone can afford to have their criminal records expunged in Indiana at these prices! Call 317-636-7514 for information about the Indiana criminal record expungement process, and start opening doors that have been closed for much too long.

Can I Have a Felony Expunged from My Criminal Record?

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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

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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

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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.

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 is a Certificate of Actual Innocence?

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Many people ask about certificates of actual innocence and how they can help clear their legal slate; but they are commonly confused with expunging criminal records. Understandably, this confusion creates a wide-range of skewed and inaccurate answers to the question, “What is a Certificate of Actual Innocence?” To comprehend the purpose of these certificates, it is important to understand criminal record expungement as well.

Knowing the difference between record expunging and certificates of innocence can sometimes answer questions for you that you didn’t even know you had. For those of you looking up ways to get a clean criminal slate, learn whether or not you need to apply for a Certificate of Actual Innocence or criminal record expungement.

Defining Certificates of Actual Innocence

A Certificate of Actual Innocence is the utmost and highest form of criminal record expungement. Not only does it lawfully seals a conviction or arrest from a person’s criminal record, it recognizes that the person was innocent of the crime to begin with and should not have been arrested in the first place. It conceals a past criminal mark on a person’s record, while stating that the criminal mark should never have existed at all.

These certificates are awarded to those who were arrested for charges they did not commit, and whose charges were later dropped. These individuals can choose to have this particular arrest sealed permanently on their personal record and legally indicated that it should never have occurred to begin with. For those arrested and charged with a crime they were found guilty of, criminal record expungement may be possible, but a certificate of innocence is not.

People wish to conceal past arrests and convictions in order to protect their image, career, families, and more. Having a criminal record can prevent a person from getting a decent job, being approved for a bank loan, renting a home, and more. It is important to conceal arrest records with the help of a professional lawyer or law firm that specializes in expunging arrest records. If you were arrested or charged with a crime you are not guilty of, call a licensed Indianapolis Criminal Record Expungement Attorney right away. They can determine if you are eligible to expunge your criminal and arrest records or if you qualify for a Certificate of Actual Innocence in Indiana.

Criminal Record Expungement in Indiana

If you were arrested for a crime you are not guilty of, or were arrested and later found innocent, you may be eligible for a Certificate of Actual Innocence in Indiana. Call 317-636-7514 to learn more about criminal record expungement and certificates of innocence today. Our highly experienced and knowledgeable attorneys are extensively well-versed in expungement law in Indiana and can answer any questions you may have. Contact Us at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultations to examine your case and discuss your eligibility for a Certificate of Actual Innocence in Indiana.

Do You Want to Expunge Your Criminal Record?

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Living with a criminal record can be extremely frustrating and shameful. Many people make mistakes when their younger, or when they’re put in undesirable situations. Sometimes these situations or mistakes result in arrests, trial, and convictions. When this happens, a person has no choice but to live with the consequences that come with breaking the law. Employers, landlords, and more can access public record directories and find a person’s criminal history. They can identify whether or not a person has been arrested or convicted of a crime. Misdemeanors, companies, and simple arrests are all posted to their personal background records. Crimes and convictions follow people their entire lives and prohibits them from enjoying normal amenities that any of the person with better criminal record can enjoy. And amenities such as renting a home or apartment, or earning a promotion they are qualified for by rejected due to their criminal histories, and more.

Criminal Record Expungement Process

If you are someone with a criminal record, you might want to know how to restrict these records from the public eye. This process is called expungement. Fortunately, Indiana has passed a new law allowing criminal record expungement for people with arrest records and criminal histories. Although there are several stipulations surrounding eligibility and requirements, many people are now able to feel their criminal records from all public access; including landlords, employers, public databases, and more.

If you are somebody that wishes to expunge their criminal record, take action right away. This new law is extremely controversial and retains a huge following of naysayers and sex. It is important to act immediately and begin the process of record expungement in case the law is banished in the near future. Here is the quick guide to starting the criminal record expungement process in Indiana:

1. Recall all Previous Arrests and/or Convictions and their Dates
2. Gather All Related Legal Paperwork for Each Arrest and/or Conviction
3. Call a Criminal Record Expungement Attorney
4. Schedule a Free Initial Consultation to Assess Your Eligibility for Expungement
5. Retain the Services of a Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer
6. Follow All Instructions and Counsel Recommended by Your Expungement Attorney

Call 317-636-7514 for criminal record expungement information in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our attorneys are well-versed in the new Indiana expungement law and can answer your questions about expunging criminal records. We help our clients by offering free initial consultations to assess whether or not a client is eligible to expunge his or her criminal records in Indiana. We offer professional attorney services for adult criminal record expungement and juvenile record expungement. Contact Us at 317-636-7514 to schedule your free consultation and get started on the right track towards expunging criminal records in Indianapolis, Indiana today.

Can I Look Up a Person’s Expunged Personal Background Records?

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Back in 2011, a new law in Indiana was put into effect regarding the sealing and restriction of a person’s past criminal records and convictions. Basically, this law allowed past offenders to retain legal counsel and petition for criminal record expungement. If they qualify for expungement and granted approval by the courts, their past criminal and arrest records are indefinitely concealed from public reach. This means that employers, landlords, and more cannot look up or identify a person’s criminal arrest records during a standard background check or screening.

Expunged Records

So the answer to this question is that person’s expunged records cannot be accessed by another person, company, or entity. The only exception to this rule is that law-enforcement officials, magistrates, courts, government officials, license branches, loan offices, and other government-run offices and associations will always retain the ability to obtain these records at any time.

You can say criminal record expungement is similar to giving a person a second chance at life. This is because there are several benefits to expunge and arrest records and criminal records. Although this laws now in fact in Indiana, there is no promise that it will remain forever. This law can go away at any moment and any day. It’s highly recommended to take advantage of this opportunity because it can open so many doors for past offenders, felons, and anyone with a criminal record. It is also highly recommended to retain professional legal counsel because the law limits how many times a person can apply for criminal record expungement.

The application process is lengthy, tedious, and complex; which is why an attorney is needed. If any mistakes are made during the application process for record expungement, a person can be denied. The law only allows someone to apply for criminal record expungement once in their lifetime. This is why it is vital that no mistakes are made during the application process. A license inexperienced attorney retains the knowledge and training to facilitate this application process accurately the first time.

Expunge Criminal Record Indiana

Expunge Criminal Record Indiana is a law firm in Indianapolis that can help you apply for criminal record expungement before the opportunity is lost. our highly knowledgeable and proficient attorneys are well-versed in the Indiana expungement law and can properly facilitate the application for criminal record expungement for anyone with past convictions, arrests, or records. There are several limitations, restrictions, and prerequisites that qualifies a person for expungement. Most can qualify; however, some people will not qualify depending on the type of convictions they have on the record. For more information about this, call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation to see if you qualify for criminal record expungement in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Expunging Adult Criminal Records in Indiana

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Any adult that has a past criminal record in Indiana has certainly experienced some road blocks in life. Any crimes, felonies, arrests, charges, and more are permanently recorded in state police records, public databases, and their personal record. These records affect people when they are applying for jobs, renting an apartment, applying for a loan, buying a house, and more. Managers, supervisors, business owners, banks, landlords, and more frequently inquire about police and criminal records during application processes. Although it seems intrusive, it is their way of accessing a person’s ability to perform well on the job, pay back a loan, responsibly rent an apartment, etcetera.

Criminal histories almost always make these ventures impossible or extremely difficult. It is not likely that a person will be hired for a job, approved for a bank loan, or handed a contract for an apartment if they have a lengthy criminal record. Why would they when there might be several other candidates that do not have criminal records? The good news is that there is a new law that allows past convicts to hide or expunge these criminal records from people such as this and make their lives better. Continue reading to learn about expunging adult criminal records in Indiana.

Indiana Criminal Record Expungement for Adults

To expunge a criminal record is not the same thing as magically erasing these charges from a person’s record. A person is still guilty of their past crimes and they will still be visible and attainable on police records and other governmental databases like the DMV and social security office. However, expungement hides these past criminal charges from the public view; making it impossible for employers, landlords, and other public viewers to see a person’s criminal history. There are some crimes that cannot be expunged; such as murder, rape, child molestation, etc. For the most part, misdemeanors and non-violent felonies are able to be expunged.

To expunge an adult criminal record, there are a few rules and guidelines that a person must follow. There is also a substantial amount of criteria they must fit in order to expunge criminal records. To understand these guidelines and to see if someone is eligible for criminal record expungement, they must consult a lawyer that is familiar with the new law.

Indianapolis Criminal Record Expungement Lawyers

Call 317-636-7514 for information about criminal record expungement in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are highly knowledgeable on the new laws, criteria, and processes for adult criminal record expungement in Indiana. Visit our website at https://www.expungecriminalrecordindiana.com/expungement.php for details about our services and company background. For accurate and reliable information about adult criminal record expungement in Indianapolis, IN, call 317-636-7514 for a free consultation today.