EXPUNGEMENTS
Most criminal convictions can be expunged.
We have helped numerous clients obtain expungements of their entire criminal history. In fact, we’ve not filed an expungement that wasn’t a success.
Expungements fall into two major categories, “shall” grant and “may” grant.
“SHALL” GRANT
Misdemeanors and the lowest level felonies (Level 6 and Class D) are a “shall” grant, meaning, if you meet the requirements of the statute the court must grant your request. The court has no choice, if you meet the requirements the court has to grant it.
Misdemeanors can be expunged after 5 years and Level 6 Felonies / Class D Felonies can be expunged after 8 years from the date of conviction.
Once an expungement is granted under this section of the Indiana Code, your criminal history and convictions will be completely removed from public view and may not be held against you by anyone.
“MAY” GRANT
Higher level felonies are a “May” Grant, meaning that the court has discretion and gets to decide if you have earned an expungement if you meet the requirements under the statute. These expungements generally may be filed after 8 years from the date of conviction.
Once an expungement is granted under this section of the Indiana Code, your criminal history and convictions will remain visible to the public, but must be clearly marked “EXPUNGED” and may not be held against you by anyone.
DISMISSED CHARGES
If you were charged with a crime that was subsequently dismissed or had a trial and were found not guilty, that information is still public record. These records can be expunged after 1 year, regardless of what kind of crime you were charged with. These are the only types of expungements were you can file more than one in a lifetime.
If you’ve changed your life you shouldn’t be defined by your past mistakes. An expungement can give you a clean slate.
Helping clients with expungements is one of our favorite things to do. It can help you move forward, without the weight of the past holding you back.
Benefits of an expungement include, but are not limited to:
Restoration of Civil Liberties, including restoration of 2nd Amendment Gun Rights
Employment
Housing
Benefits
You are only entitled to one expungement in a lifetime, it’s worth hiring an experienced attorney to make sure it’s done right.
Let us help you change your life.