Can I Buy a Gun After Expunging a Felony Conviction?

When a person is convicted of a felony crime, there are several consequences that go along with it, many of which disrupt or impact a person’s life forever. One of the many restrictions convicted felons must live with is the right to purchase a firearm. But now that recent laws have approved criminal record expungement, many people are taking advantage of sealing their past criminal convictions from public access, leading them to ask several questions about restoring their rights as well. A common inquiry among past felons filing for expungement involves the right to purchase and bear arms. Continue reading to learn more about expunging felony criminal records and how it influences a person’s right to purchase a gun.

Criminal Record Expungement vs Restricted Access

In Indiana, if a person was charged with a felony or misdemeanor, but never found guilty, then they are eligible for expungement. But if a person has any conviction on their criminal record, whether for a misdemeanor or felony offense, they are not eligible to have it expunged. However, they may qualify to have it placed under restricted access, which is sometimes referred to as record “sealing” rather than record expungement. To petition for a chance at sealing criminal records in Indiana, all of the following statements listed below must be true:

1. Offense was a Misdemeanor or Level 6 Felony
2. They Caused No Bodily Injury
3. No New Convictions Since the Conviction
4. It Has Been at Least 8 Years Since the Conviction
5. Offense was not Sexual nor Violent

Gun Rights

When a person is convicted of a felony offense, they immediately lose their right to purchase or bear firearms. And since Indiana only allows past convicts who qualify to seal and restrict their criminal records, rather than expunge them, they can never regain that privilege again. The only way a person’s right to purchase and bear firearms can be restored is if they were never convicted of a crime or their charges were later dropped or dismissed. All those with convictions on their criminal record cannot expunge their
convictions, therefore, they cannot have their
right to firearms reinstated in Indiana.

Indiana Expungement Lawyer

Call 317-636-7514 for help sealing and expunging criminal records in Indiana. Our rates start as low as $850, making our legal services affordable for everyone! Our comprehensive understanding of Indiana expungement law, coupled with our acute work ethic, makes us the perfect ally when petitioning the government. We will ensure you qualify before taking the time to file and process paperwork, and furthermore, ensure that all your filing and proceedings are accurately managed and carried out on time. Call 317-636-7514 to discuss your eligibility with a licensed Indiana criminal record expungement lawyer today!

Are Voting Rights Restored After Expunging a Felony?

Two years ago, the Indiana expungement laws have granted past felons the opportunity to seal their criminal records. Before July of 2013, only charges that were dismissed, acquitted, dropped, or voided could be sealed, but then the expungement laws were revised and now convicted persons can have their criminal records expunged. Continue reading to learn more about felony expungement in Indiana, and who to call for reliable and professional filing services.

Felony Expungement

Although filing is a delicate process that cannot even start until a certain amount of time has passed (up to 10 years for felony charges), expungement services are well worth the patience and effort in the end. After a person has a felony record expunged, all of their civil rights are restored, including the right to vote, to be a juror, and the right to firearms. But there are stipulations to having these rights restored, and they are as follows:

• Must Not Be Incarcerated Since the Conviction
• Must Not Commit Any More Crimes Since the Conviction
• Must Not Be On Probation Since the Conviction
• Must Pay All Legal Restitution On Time for the Conviction
• Defendant Maintains a Clean Record Following Expungement

In order to expunge a felony record, a person must have all of their crime-committing days behind them. This is because a person can only have records expunged one time in Indiana. A person can expunge multiple charges and convictions so long as it is done all at the same time, but they only get once chance to file. If one filing mistake is made, the request is dismissed and a person loses their opportunity to file for expungement in Indiana forever.

For this reason, it is important to retain the services of a licensed attorney that is well-versed in the Indiana expungement laws and procedures. For a reasonable fee, an experienced lawyer can file all documents to the court and manage all other filing procedures for a defendant. This will ensure it gets done right the first time, which is the only time you have.

Indiana Expungement Lawyer

Call 317-636-7514 to learn about expunging criminal records in Indiana. We are well-versed in the new Indiana expungement laws and can answer your questions about eligibility and filing. Our rates start as low as $850 making our expungement services affordable for anyone. The fee increases as complexity and seriousness of charges increases. Call 317-636-7514 and speak with an Indiana expungement lawyer you can trust.