Minor arrests and misdemeanors can now be sealed from public access in Indiana, so long as you have a licensed criminal attorney by your side. Continue below to learn where to find reputable criminal record expungement legal help for juvenile records in Indiana, plus how to get started in your petition this month.
Juvenile Criminal Record Expungement Indiana 317-636-7514
Expungement For Juvenile Criminal Records in Indiana
Expunge Criminal Record Indiana provides exceptional legal counsel for families and individuals all across Indiana. Not only are we highly accomplished and respected personal injury attorneys, but we are also extensively well-versed and proficient in the new criminal record expungement laws. We offer our services for individuals who wish to seal our criminal records from when we were just a minor!
If you were arrested or convicted of a crime as a juvenile, you may be eligible for criminal record expungement. Not all will qualify, and there are several stipulations regarding eligibility and approval, which is why you need a licensed attorney to facilitate the application process for you, flawlessly!
Here are Central Indiana cities we provide juvenile criminal expungement legal assistance for:
Request a Free Consultation to Learn Your Eligibility
We offer free initial consultations to assess your case and determine if you are eligible to expunge criminal records in Indiana. This means there is no obligation to pay for your first meeting with our licensed attorneys!
Are you ready to get started on learning your eligibility and starting point for juvenile criminal expungement?Contact us at 317-636-7514 for criminal record expungement services for minors and juveniles in Indianapolis, Indiana today.
Are you preparing to petition for criminal record expungement or record sealing in Indiana? Did you know that just one tiny error in the filing process can cause your application to get denied, forever? Whether a misspelled name or a missed deadline, a rejected expungement petition is the end of the line. Applicants only get once chance to file for criminal record expungement, so don’t mess things up by making some common petitioner mistakes!
Continue reading to learn the most common mistakes made when people file for criminal record expungement, and hopefully avoid making these same mistakes yourself!
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The Importance of Criminal Record Expungement
Criminal records are very disconcerting to live with, especially if they happened a long time ago. Most people make mistakes when they are young, but mistakes that are crimes go on a person’s permanent record. Whether your past criminal history is from a time of adolescence, or a mistake made later in your life, expungement services are a wise choice if you wish to alleviate the stress that goes along with having a public criminal record. Open yourself up to better employment opportunities, residential opportunities, property ownership, and more.
In order to file for criminal record expungement, you must follow a stringent set of steps and guidelines that can take over a year to complete. It involves a heap of complex paperwork that must be filled out in its entirety, as well as, court hearings and appearances, depending on the extent of one’s criminal record. This is why it is strongly encouraged to hire a licensed attorney for professional assistance throughout the process.
The Most Common and Damaging Expungement Mistakes
The first mistake anyone can make when it comes to filing for criminal record expungement is to NOT hire an attorney. Attempting to apply for expungement on your own is a huge set up for disaster. The process is a highly complicated legal back-and-forth that can be highly demanding and defeating. And just ONE little mistake, like a skipped line or misspelled word, can sacrifice a person’s only chance of sealing their criminal records. You can only file once.
Another common mistake people make in the process of filing for criminal record expungement is failing to get a “Certificate of Eligibility” or allowing their certificate to expire. These are documents that claim a person is eligible to apply for expungement. A person MUST have one in order to continue the process of expunging their criminal history. This certificate is only good for one calendar year, and you can only have one issued in your lifetime. If it expires, so does your chance of expungement.
Are you ready to get in touch with a skilled criminal defense attorney who can help you clean up your criminal history in Indiana?Contact our Indianapolis Indiana criminal record expungement lawyers to learn how to begin your petition, today. Our expungement fees start as low as $850, and we never charge for initial consultations.
The cost of criminal expungement in Indiana differs. It all depends on the severity of the conviction, the number of convictions, the location of the convictions, the age of the convictions, and court costs. Fortunately, there are law firms that do not charge a fee for your first consultation. This means you have nothing to lose and only knowledge to gain regarding your eligibility for criminal expungement if you find the right criminal defense law firm.
Continue reading to learn what you need to know about criminal record expungement, including the average cost, the importance of finding a flat rate fee, and how to get started.
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What Can Be Sealed From Your Record
Misdemeanors, class D felonies, arrest records, and more can all potentially be eliminated from a person’s criminal history. However, every case is different. The cost of a comprehensive criminal record expungement depends on the severity of the conviction, the number of convictions, the location of the convictions, the age of the convictions and court cost.
For instance, a single drunk driving conviction is relatively inexpensive to expunge; by contrast, several more serious convictions in numerous counties require considerably more skill and time to successfully remove from your record.
Always Hire an Attorney for Help With Your Petition
This is why it is important to consult a criminal defense attorney in Indianapolis who specializes in criminal record expungement legal services. They can accurately determine whether or not you qualify for expungement. Furthermore, the process of expungement is quite complex and confusing. A licensed attorney can push your paperwork through for you so that there is no possibility for clerical error or missed deadlines.
If you were to file incorrectly, even just misspelling your address, can have your petition denied forever. In fact, one of the rules to expunging a criminal record is that a person can only file ONCE IN A LIFETIME. A licensed Indianapolis criminal defense attorney can help you with every aspect of filing, paperwork, deadlines, and more, and ensure your petition is managed correctly.
Choose a Law Firm That Offers a Flat Fee
After consulting with you, in person or by telephone, a qualified legal team may be able to customize a flat fee structure and even a payment plan that suits your budget and financial needs. Keep in mind that there are several criminal defense law firms to choose from, and many do not offer flat rate fees for help with the record expungement petition process. Be sure to do your research and find an expungement law firm in Indiana that can offer you these amenities and more.
Anyone who qualifies for criminal record expungement or sealing should immediately take advantage of Indiana’s Second Chance Law. There are many lobbyist parties against the new expungement laws, putting its sustainability in question. If you want to expunge a criminal record, do not feel confused about the process. The criminal expungement process is actually quite simple, so long as you educate yourself on the best practices and get started on the right track.
Continue below for a 3 step guide to expunging a criminal record in Indiana, plus a bonus tip on who to choose for qualified petitioning assistance.
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How to Expunge a Criminal Record in Indiana
Finish All Sentencing Requirements
In order to be eligible for criminal record expungement, you must meet certain criteria. One of the most important elements of expungement eligibility is satisfying all court orders and sentencing terms. If you still haven’t finished your community service hours or attended a MADD victim impact panel, you must sign up and complete your requirements before you move onto the next step in the 3-step approach to expunging a criminal record in Indiana.
Learn Your Eligibility
Your next step is to verify your eligibility. Eligibility requirements are quite strict and extensive. In fact, determining eligibility for criminal record expungement is so complex, you are not expected to be able to do it yourself. This step requires the assistance of a licensed and experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who is well-versed in the criminal record expungement laws and procedures.
Not only are the eligibility requirements complicated, but the whole petitioning process is too. Just one single mistake, like a missed deadline or spelling error, can result in a rejection. This is serious because you are only allowed to petition one time. Once you do, you lose your right to do so again. For this reason, it is important to expunge multiple records at once with the help of a legal professional.
Submit a Petition
At this step in the criminal record expungement process, your attorney will submit your petition on a county level according to Indiana Code. This means that your petition will be filed in the same county as the criminal charge. So, if you were arrested in Noblesville, your lawyer will submit your petition in Hamilton County, Indiana.
Are you ready to get started on your petition for criminal record expungement in Indiana?Contact our Indianapolis Indiana criminal record expungement lawyers to learn how to begin your petition, today. Our expungement fees start as low as $850, and we never charge for initial consultations.
If you are interviewing for a job position, whether fast food checkout clerk or dental hygienist, you can expect a background scan to be performed before you are officially hired on. Continue below to learn what you should know about background checks, including how much they are, who can run them, what they reveal, and even how you can seal or destroy undesirable marks on your personal record.
Criminal Record Lawyer Indianapolis Indiana 317-636-7514
Frequently Asked Questions About Background Checks
Are Background Checks Free?
Background checks come in all shapes and sizes. Some are free, while others offer tiers of packages depending on how much information you are looking for. Comprehensive background checks that reveal in-depth information about a person are usually higher in price, while basic scans are generally free or under $10. Government agencies, law enforcement, and employers use the most comprehensive background scanning programs, so there is no hiding anything from them.
Can Anyone Perform a Background Scan on Anybody?
Yes, anyone can perform on a background check on another person, or even themselves. Whether it’s a father preparing to send his daughter off to prom with a new boy, a woman getting ready for a blind date, or a nosy neighbor who just wants some dirt on the person living next door, background scanning sites are available to anyone who is willing to pay or put in the effort. Some background check sites are for authority use only, such as government officials, police, and similar parties.
What Shows Up on a Background Check Report?
As mentioned, background scans reveal information based on the extent of the scan. Basic background checks typically reveal just that, the basics, like name, address, phone number, email, previously known addresses and numbers, family obituaries, and maybe even traffic records. More comprehensive background checks will reveal the same kinds of information, plus juvenile records, criminal records, school history, and hospital records.
How Can I Make My Background Scans Employer-Approved?
Indiana now has a Second Chance Law that allows those who qualify to seal or expunge past criminal charges and arrests from their personal public records. This means that the general public would not be able to access or find your criminal blemish anywhere on your personal record, including employers, but also many others. But when it comes to job applications, licensing, and promotions, you can be in the clear once again.
Are you afraid that you cannot afford to clean up your criminal record? Think again! We offer criminal expungement services starting at a reasonable $850!Contact our Indianapolis Indiana criminal record expungement lawyers to learn how to begin your petition, today. Our lawyers also offer free initial consultations.
Having a federal level record on your criminal history report is unconducive to having a good quality of life. Felony records hold individuals back in almost every important element of life, including dating, socializing, career, school, professional licensing, and even self-esteem. Fortunately, Indiana has passed a law that allows eligible petitioners to seal or expunge past criminal records, including certain felonies.
Continue reading to learn which felony records qualify for criminal expungement and which felonies do not, plus how to get started on your expungement petition near you.
Felony Criminal Record Expungement Indiana 317-636-7514
Felony Record Expungement Basics
One of the fundamentals for qualifying for criminal record expungement is time. A certain, specified amount of time must pass before a person becomes eligible to petition for expungement or record sealing. In addition to time, the offense must meet certain requirements. For felonies, the required waiting period is 8 years.
Felony Expungement and Sealing Qualifications
Below is a breakdown of eligible and ineligible felonies for criminal record expungement. Use this guide to gauge your eligibility, then contact a seasoned Indianapolis criminal defense attorney who specializes in appeals and expungements for personalized advice on how to further verify your eligibility and get started on your official petition. Being as though the criminal record expungement law is a very unpopular one among state legislators, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity soon because it might not be around much longer!
Felony Records That Can Be Expunged
Level 6 felonies are the least serious of federal charges and convictions. So long as your level 6 felony did not involve serious bodily injury to another, it likely qualifies for criminal record sealing, but not expungement. Record sealing involves restricting your criminal records from public access, while expungement takes them away altogether, allowing granted individuals to rightfully deny they have ever been convicted. Any felony records outside of these conditions might be eligible for expungement or record sealing with the written consent of a prosecutor.
Felonies That Cannot Be Expunged
There are many kinds of felonies that do not qualify for criminal record expungement or sealing. These include felonies that resulted in serious bodily injury to others, plus certain violent felony offenses, such as sex crimes, hate crimes, homicides, kidnapping, sex trafficking, and official misconduct of politicians.
Are you ready to clean your slate and be free of your felony record?Contact us at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced expungement lawyer in Indianapolis. Our Indiana criminal expungement services start as low as $850!
As kids, we all make mistakes. Some mistakes land juveniles in trouble with the law. Fortunately, with the right qualifications, Indiana’s Second Chance Law may allow you to seal your juvenile arrest and criminal records, even if you were ultimately found guilty of the charge. Continue below to learn how to confirm your eligibility for juvenile criminal record sealing, plus how to get started if you believe you meet the prerequisites for qualification.
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Juvenile Record Sealing Stipulations
In order to qualify to seal your juvenile criminal records, you must meet certain, state-specified criteria. Criteria will include age, type of offense, time passed since the offense, and adult criminal records. Although such requirements vary among states, they are generally across the board with these before-mentioned factors.
Age and Time Passed Since Your Offense
Here in Indiana, you must be at least 18 years old to petition for juvenile record sealing. This means that juveniles, which are people under the age of 18 years old, cannot petition for record sealing. In addition to your age, eligibility largely depends on the amount of time that has passed since the date of the offense or subsequent charge. Some states allow petitioners to file for record sealing as soon as 30 days after their 18th birthday. Other states require a set time limit, typically 3 to 5 years since the date of the offense.
Type of Crime or Charge
Juveniles can be guilty of all sorts of infractions and offenses. The more serious ones may not qualify for record sealing, such as homicide, sexual assault, murder, and similar egregious federal-level crimes. Lesser offenses, like underage drinking, driving without a license, truancy, drug possession, shoplifting, running away, and similar common teenage wrongdoings, generally qualify for juvenile record sealing.
Adult Criminal Records
Not only must you be an adult, 18 years old or older, to petition for juvenile record sealing, but you must also be an adult with a clear adult criminal record. Perhaps one isolated or minor offense as an adult might not affect your eligibility, but more serious and certainly habitual offenses will cause your petition to be denied.
How to Get Started with Juvenile Record Sealing
To file for juvenile record sealing, you must complete a series of complicated paperwork, which will require you to locate and submit additional, relevant documents, plus pay a fee. And just one mistake on your petition, or a missed filing deadline, will cause your petition to be denied. After that happens, you are no longer eligible to file again. For these reasons and more, it is necessary to hire a licensed criminal defense attorney who specializes in expungement and record sealing services. They will ensure your petition is navigated properly.
Are you ready to get started on your Indiana juvenile record sealing petition?Contact us at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free consultation for criminal record expungement in Indianapolis, and be one step closer to better and brighter future.
Expunging an arrest or criminal charge from your permanent record is a feeling like nothing else. Relief, freedom, motivation are just a few emotions you can expect. But what else can you expect after criminal record expungement in Indiana? Are certain authorities and individuals automatically notified of your expunged record or are you responsible for notifying such authorities yourself?
Criminal Expungement Attorney Indianapolis Indiana 317-636-7514
A Warning About Criminal Record Expungement in Indiana
If you want to guarantee a streamlined and hassle-free criminal record expungement process, it is critical that you hire a licensed and experienced criminal defense attorney who specializes in record expungement and sealing services. The process to expunge a criminal record is highly complex and requires astute focus in terms of legalese, deadlines, paperwork, filings, fees, and even spelling errors.
The matter is critical because individuals are only allowed to petition for criminal record expungement once in their entire lifetime. Even if you make a small mistake like missing a deadline or misspelling your name can get your petition rejected forever. A kernel defense lawyer can ensure your petition goes off without a hitch. Additionally, they can facilitate multiple record expungements in one single petition, so long as they qualify under the Indiana ordinance.
Procedures for Expungement Notifications
Once the petition is granted for a record to be expunged, the petitioner is not required to notify agencies and authorities on their own. These parties will be automatically notified through a strict internal code of administrative communication. Such parties that will be notified include the arresting agency, the county clerk’s office, and the local law enforcement department.
Arresting Agency
The arresting agency is the party that was responsible for facilitating your arrest or charge. This is typically the jail, police department, or Sheriff’s office. Not only are they notified of your expunged record, but they are required to notify other agencies they have notified in the past regarding your criminal record.
County Clerk’s Office
The county clerk’s office will be notified upon approval of your criminal record expungement petition. They are required to distribute a certified copy of the expunged order to all relevant agencies that received your court records, such as probation offices, licensed agencies, and similar government agencies.
Local Police Department
The local police department, namely the one that facilitated your arrest, will be immediately notified of your expunged record. In turn, they are required to forward your granted expungement order to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This is all typically done, electronically.
Have you already petitioned for criminal record expungement in Indiana, but you don’t know where your status stands Perhaps you haven’t applied yet, but would like to learn more about getting started?Contact our licensed criminal lawyers for affordable criminal record expungement services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our fees start as low as $850, and initial consultations are free!
In life, we weigh the pros and cons of almost everything. Should I do this, or should I do that? Well, when it comes to criminal record expungement and record sealing, you can rest assure that the cons are few and far between. If you think that criminal record expungement isn’t something you can benefit from because your criminal charge never ended with conviction, you would be quite wrong.
Continue reading to learn why criminal record expungement can be one of the most beneficial petitions you ever make for your happiness and overall quality of life, and most importantly, how to get started as soon as tomorrow.
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The Advantages of Criminal Record Expungement
In all sizes and scopes, criminal records hold people back in life. Whether your criminal arrest ended in conviction or not, it will come up as a red flag on virtually all background checks and scans. This means that your past criminal arrest, albeit dropped, dismissed, unfounded, is holding you back from getting better employment, raises, promotions, professional licensing, housing, financial opportunities, schooling admission, and more. A misleading background check can also affect your romantic and dating life.
How a Criminal History Can Hold You Back
A criminal charge on a person’s record, regardless of innocence or context, sends an immediate message to the reader. Even though your criminal charges did not result in a conviction, the background scanner will take note that you have been arrested before. And if you are up against another person with the same credentials, you might lose, whatever the stakes may be (new job, promotion, first date, etc.).
If you are interviewing for a new job or promotion, a criminal charge or arrest can affect the employer’s final hiring decision.
If you are applying for a loan, you may run into some difficulties getting approved with a criminal charge or arrest on your permanent record.
If you are applying to a competitive college or grad school, a criminal record can stir calm waters in the admissions office.
If you are trying to get approved for a rental apartment or housing, any past criminal records will be taken into account by the landlord.
If you are looking to date, potential partners will likely look up your history in every which way, before a first date ever happens.
How to Get Started With Criminal Record Expungement in Indiana
Although it is not required, the first step to expunging a criminal record is to hire a licensed criminal lawyer who specializes in criminal record expungement and record sealing services. You see, it is possible to manage the petition process yourself, but it would be incredibly risky. The law only allows you to petition once in your entire life, and just one simple error can get your petition rejected. Furthermore, because you can only file once, it is important to cover all past criminal charges and arrests that qualify. A lawyer can help you do this every step of the way and ensure ultimate approval.
Not sure where to find a trusted criminal attorney who can help you with an Indiana expungement application? Contact our Indianapolis Indiana criminal record expungement lawyers to begin your petition right now! Our fees start as low as $850, and we never charge for initial consultations.
All good-minded Hoosiers can agree that we should be doing whatever it takes to keep kids out of the criminal justice court system. But how does Indiana help parents and legal custodians achieve this goal? From categorical offenses to record expungement, Indiana has many resources and programs to offer for children who have and have not been arrested.
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Convictions Have Future Consequences for Juveniles
When a juvenile is arrested, charged, and ultimately convicted, their life is forever changed. There are many lasting and ongoing consequences to having a juvenile criminal record, and they are not anything we would wish for a child. Here in Indiana, a juvenile is a minor under the age of 18 years old. Sometimes, juveniles commit crimes so serious, they are tried in adult court. This is mostly typical among 16 and 17 year old defendants, but the court system has tried children as young as 12 years old in recent history.
Criminal records impact a defendant’s opportunity for education, employment, housing, financial assistance, and professional licensing. In worst scenarios, juvenile arrests and convictions pave the pathway for minors to grow into habitual or career criminals, spending most of their life in and out of the system. So, needless to say, it is in our best interest as a society to keep kids out of the criminal system using what resources and powers available to us. But what can we do? What can Indiana do?
Indiana Charges Kids With Delinquent or Status Offenses
There are two types of charges Indiana imposes on juvenile defendants. Status offenses are crimes that can only be committed by minors, such as underage drinking, underage smoking, truancy, curfew violations, and running away from home. Most of these offenses are dealt with using alternatives to arrest.
Delinquent offenses are crimes that can also be committed by adults, such as vandalism, voyeurism, theft, shoplifting, unlicensed driving, assault, and battery. These are clearly more serious than status offenses, and therefore, commonly land juveniles in adult court rather than juvenile court.
Protecting Juveniles From a Melancholy Future
After juveniles see a judge for their charges, they can be sentenced to a wide scope of penalties, which typically include fines and probation, but may also include community service, restitution, mental health counseling, educational programs, drug/alcohol treatment, and in worse cases, time spent in juvenile detention. In fact, many of these court orders are sentenced in place of juvenile detention or even a conviction altogether.
Indiana wants to keep kids out of the criminal system, which is why there are so many alternatives to arrest and criminal conviction. Fortunately, juveniles who are convicted of a crime may qualify later on for criminal record expungement or record sealing.
Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP
Not only do you want to protect your children’s current quality of life, but you also want to ensure their future rights and freedoms are secured as well. Do this by hiring a skilled Indiana criminal defense attorney who can fight your kid’s charges, reducing or dismissing them altogether.
