Learning the Difference Between Criminal Pardons and Criminal Expungement

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.