How to File for Expungement in Columbus, Indiana | Expunge Criminal Record Indiana

A criminal record can follow you for years after you’ve served your time, paid your fines, and moved on. Job applications, rental screenings, loan approvals—the same record surfaces again and again, closing doors that should be open to you. For residents of Columbus, Indiana, expungement offers a legal path to clear that record and reclaim those opportunities.

Indiana’s Second Chance Law (Indiana Code § 35-38-9) makes expungement accessible to many people with past convictions. If you meet the eligibility requirements, the court may be required by law to grant your petition. Here’s what you need to know about the process in Columbus and Bartholomew County.

Expungement Guide for Noblesville Indiana

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is a legal process that allows certain criminal records to be removed from public view. In Indiana, the term carries a specific meaning: it refers to the legal act of clearing a conviction, while “sealing” refers to restricting public access to that record.

Expungement vs. Record Sealing in Indiana

These two terms are related but distinct:

Expungement means the court has legally cleared the conviction from your record.
Sealing means the public—including most employers and landlords—can no longer see the record on databases like mycase.in.gov.

For misdemeanors and lower-level felonies, records are typically both expunged and sealed. For more serious felonies (Class A–C or Level 1–5), records may be marked “expunged” but are not fully sealed and remain accessible to the public. Law enforcement, prosecutors, and certain government agencies can always access sealed records regardless of expungement status.

Eligibility Requirements for Expungement in Columbus, Indiana

Before filing, you must meet three baseline requirements under Indiana law:

No pending criminal charges against you at the time of filing
All court costs, fines, fees, and restitution fully paid
Required waiting periods met based on the type of conviction

Waiting Periods by Conviction Type

The waiting period begins from the date of conviction—not the arrest date or sentencing date.

Conviction Type	Waiting Period
Dismissed charges or arrests	1 year from date of arrest or charge
Misdemeanor or Class D/Level 6 felony reduced to misdemeanor	5 years from conviction + 5 years since any conviction
Class D/Level 6 felony	8 years from conviction + 8 years since any conviction
Class A–C/Level 1–5 felony	8 years from conviction OR 3 years from sentence completion (whichever is later) + 8 years since any conviction
Serious felony with bodily injury	10 years from conviction OR 5 years from sentence completion + prosecutor’s written consent

One important exception: a prosecutor can agree in writing to shorten the waiting period, allowing you to file early.

Offenses That Cannot Be Expunged

Indiana law permanently excludes certain convictions from expungement eligibility, including:

Murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter
Rape, child molesting, and child exploitation
Human trafficking and child sexual trafficking
Sex or violent offender registry offenses
Two or more unrelated felonies involving deadly weapons
Official misconduct by public servants

If your conviction falls into one of these categories, expungement is not available regardless of how much time has passed.

The Expungement Process in Bartholomew County

In Columbus, expungement petitions are filed at the Bartholomew County Courthouse, located at 234 Washington Street (note: the Circuit Court temporarily relocated to the Court Services Building at 555 First Street due to remodeling—confirm the current location before filing). The county operates three courts: the Circuit Court (812-379-1605), Superior Court 1 (812-379-1623), and Superior Court 2 (812-379-1610).

Step-by-Step Filing Process

Step 1: Look up your criminal history

Pull your full criminal record using Indiana’s case management system at mycase.in.gov. You’ll need accurate case information for each conviction you want to expunge. It is recommended to consult with an Indiana expungement lawyer before moving onto step two.

Step 2: Complete the petition forms

Download and complete the appropriate forms from Indiana Legal Help (indianalegalhelp.org). Your petition must list every conviction you want expunged—omitting even one can permanently affect your eligibility, since Indiana only allows one expungement of conviction records in your lifetime.

Step 3: File in the correct county

File your petition in the county where the conviction occurred. If you have convictions in multiple Indiana counties, you must file separate petitions in each county. All petitions across different counties must be filed within a 365-day window.

Step 4: Pay the filing fees

Filing fees in Bartholomew County are approximately $157–$162 per petition, plus a sheriff’s service fee of around $28. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial hardship.

Step 5: Wait for the prosecutor’s response

Once filed, the prosecutor has 30 days to object. If no objection is raised and all eligibility criteria are met, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. If the prosecutor objects, a hearing must be scheduled within 60 days of the original filing.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Most expungements in Indiana are resolved within 30 to 90 days of filing. The timeline can vary depending on the county’s caseload, the complexity of your case, and whether a hearing is required.

Benefits of Expungement

The practical impact of a cleared record is significant. According to a survey by GHRR, 96% of employers conduct at least one type of background screening. An expungement can change the outcome of those checks in meaningful ways.

Employment and Professional Licensing

Once your record is expunged, Indiana law prohibits employers from discriminating against you based on that conviction (IC 35-38-9-10(b)). When a job application asks about prior convictions, you can legally answer “no” to any expunged offense. This protection extends to professional licensing in many industries.

Housing Applications

Landlords routinely conduct background checks on rental applicants. An expunged record no longer appears in public databases, removing a common barrier to securing stable housing.

Civil Rights Restoration

Expungement restores civil rights that may have been lost due to a felony conviction, including the right to vote, hold public office, and serve on a jury. Firearm rights are also generally restored, with one exception: domestic violence convictions require a separate legal petition to restore gun rights under Indiana Code 35-47-4-7.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Expungement is a one-time opportunity for conviction records in Indiana. Errors in the process can have lasting consequences.

Leaving out convictions: Every conviction you want expunged must be listed on the petition. You cannot go back and add omitted records to a future petition.
Filing before you’re eligible: If you file before your waiting period is complete—even by a single day—the petition can be denied and may affect your ability to refile.
Missing the multi-county deadline: If you have convictions in more than one county, all petitions must be filed within 365 days of your first filing.
Outstanding fines or fees: Any unpaid court costs, fines, or restitution will disqualify your petition. Confirm all balances are satisfied before you file.
Skipping legal review: The process involves strict requirements with very little margin for error. Working with an experienced Columbus IN expungement attorney significantly reduces the risk of a costly mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I expunge multiple convictions at once?

Yes. You can include multiple convictions from the same county on a single petition. If you have convictions in multiple counties, you’ll need separate petitions for each county—all filed within 365 days of your first petition.

Will an expunged record show up on background checks?

For most employers, landlords, and the general public, the answer is no. Expunged and sealed records are removed from public databases. However, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and certain government agencies can still access sealed records.

What if my expungement petition is denied?

For mandatory expungements (misdemeanors and Level 6 felonies), denial is uncommon if all criteria are met. For discretionary felony expungements (Class A–C/Level 1–5), a denial means you must wait at least three years before filing a new petition for that same conviction.

Does expungement automatically restore my gun rights?

In most cases, yes. However, if your conviction involved domestic violence, a separate petition under Indiana Code 35-47-4-7 is required before firearm rights can be restored.

Take the First Step Toward a Clean Record

Expungement gives people the opportunity to move forward without the weight of a past conviction defining their future. The process in Columbus and Bartholomew County follows Indiana’s statewide framework, with county-specific procedures that require careful attention to detail.

Given that Indiana only allows one chance to expunge conviction records, getting it right the first time matters enormously. Contact David E. Lewis Attorney at Law today for a free criminal record expungement consultation and eligibility review. An experienced attorney can review your full criminal history, confirm your eligibility, and handle every step of the filing process on your behalf.

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