Terre Haute Record Expungement Lawyer

You want to put your best foot forward when seeking jobs, loans, rental properties, and other milestones in your life. However, if you’ve ever been convicted of a crime, a criminal record can jeopardize your chances of getting that job, loan, or home. If mistakes from your past are keeping you from pursuing these and other opportunities, you may consider expunging or sealing your criminal record.

At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, we don’t think your past mistakes should define your future. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor or Class D felony, you may petition for restricted access to your criminal records. Contact our experienced legal team today to discuss your situation and learn more about the expungement process in Indiana, including how to determine whether you may qualify and what next steps may look like.

Eligibility Requirements for Criminal Record Expungement

Indiana Code 35-38-9 states that if you’ve been previously convicted of a Class D felony or misdemeanor, you may petition in court for your records to be sealed. Depending on the circumstances of your conviction or charge, you may petition no earlier than 5–8 years after the date of conviction.

If you have a Class D felony or misdemeanor charge on your criminal record, you may be eligible to petition if you meet the following requirements:

• You live in Indiana and the conviction was in Indiana.
• In the case of a misdemeanor, at least five (5) years have expired since the most recent conviction.
• In the case of a Class D felony, at least eight (8) years have expired since the most recent conviction.
• There are no current criminal investigations or charges pending against you.
• You have not filed other petitions under I.C. 35-38-9 (no previous expungement filing).
• You have paid all fines, fees, and court costs and satisfied any restitution obligation imposed as part of the sentence.

If a petition is granted, a person’s criminal record may be cleared from:

• The Indiana Department of Correction
• The Indiana State Police Central Repository for Criminal History
• The Indiana Supreme Court
• Court of Appeals and Tax Court
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Because you are only allowed to petition for expungement once in your life, it’s important to clearly understand the law and your eligibility before taking action.

Contact Our Terre Haute Expungement Attorneys

For more than 45 years, Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin has worked to protect the rights of people in Indiana, and we want to support you as you explore your options. No one should face ongoing hardship because of past mistakes, and many individuals reach out to our team for clarity on how the expungement process works and what resources may be available.

If you’re looking for a second chance, contact our firm today. We can discuss your circumstances, help you understand the path toward expungement, and point you toward the appropriate next steps.