Discussing Indiana’s Second Chance Law

The laws surrounding criminal record expungement in Indiana have recently changed. These changes took place on July 1, 2015, and renamed “The Second Chance Law” (I.C. 53-38-9). Before these revisions, anyone who was arrested or charged with a crime had to live with a permanent criminal record for the rest of their lives. But now, a person can have their criminal records expunged if they qualify.

But filing for criminal record expungement is not an easy task. The process is complex and tedious, varies from state to state, and requires a long list of perquisites in order to even qualify. This is why you need a criminal defense lawyer. They will be able to tell you whether or not you are eligible, and for assist you with the filing process. Just one mistake or written error will get your application denied, and you can only file for expungement once in your life. A lawyer will ensure that mistakes don’t happen.

Criminal Record Expungement

In order to qualify for criminal record expungement, a pre-set amount of time must pass since the charges were incurred. But more importantly, a record can only be expunged if:

1. The charges were later dropped because a judge determined no crime was committed;
2. The charges were later dropped because there was no probable cause;
3. The arrest never lead to criminal charges.

Additional Factors

Other factors that influence your eligibility for expungement includes their past criminal record, whether or not they complete and obeyed all court orders, and the amount of time since your last arrest. It is highly unlikely to get a major felony or violent crime expunged from your record, such as arson, sex offenses, carjacking, and more. There are several qualifications and requirements needed to apply for criminal record expungement, so it is important to learn these limits from a trusted and experienced criminal defense attorney.

Indianapolis Expungement Lawyers

Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable criminal record expungement attorney, today. Our law firm works hard to ensure all arrangements and procedures are implemented with utmost exactitude and care. If you have questions about Indiana expungement laws and procedures, we are happy to answer them free of charge! Call 317-636-7514 to speak with Indianapolis expungement lawyers you can trust.