Marc Lopez Law Firm
120 E Market St Suite 710
Phone: +1 317-632-3642
Banks & Brower
8770 Purdue Rd
Phone: +1 317-870-0019
Zaki Ali
3719 S Scatterfield Rd
Phone: +1 765-703-5010
Stracci Law Group
11890 Broadway
Phone: +1 219-754-5534
Keffer Hirschauer LLP
230 E Ohio St Suite 400
Phone: +1 317-857-0160
Eskew Law
255 Alabama St 3rd Floor
Phone: +1 317-793-2325
Christopher W. Grider Law
320 N Meridian St #1028
Phone: +1 317-637-9000
Wruble Law LLC
1512 N Delaware St Suite 201
Phone: +1 317-308-8584
Law Office of B.D. Williams
1512 N Delaware St Suite 100
Phone: +1 463-287-7330
Hayes Law Office
101 W Ohio St Suite 2024
Phone: +1 317-759-1515
Blankenship Law
11405 N Pennsylvania St Suite 115
Phone: +1 463-223-8799
Stark DUI Lawyers
450 E 96th St #500
Phone: +1 317-846-7777
Rigney Law LLC
250 E 38th St
Phone: +1 317-527-0867
Avnet Law
34 S 9th St
Phone: +1 877-772-8638
Greg Spencer Law
50 91st St #102
Phone: +1 317-918-5982
Gemma & Karimi
320 N Meridian St #901
Phone: +1 317-602-5970
Jesse K. Sanchez Law
333 Alabama St ste 358
Phone: +1 317-721-9858
David E. Deal & Associates
22 E Washington St Suite 650
Phone: +1 317-634-7000
Bryan Cook Law
600 E Carmel Dr Suite 210
Phone: +1 317-696-8915
Jason Jackson & Associates
499 S 9th St
Phone: +1 317-678-0247
The Criminal Defense Team
1060 Villa Ave
Phone: +1 317-743-3295
Suhre & Associates
101 W Ohio St #2000
Phone: +1 317-785-7909
Sallee Law
902 Virginia Ave #200
Phone: +1 317-634-5544
Daniel Vaughn Law
608 East Market Street
Phone: (317) 402-7252
Duepner Law LLC
136 S 9th St #207
Phone: +1 317-886-4304
Mark Nicholson Law
6284 Rucker Rd
Phone: +1 317-219-3402
Corey L. Scott LLC
1099 N Meridian St Suite 150
Phone: +1 317-623-4546
Potts Law LLC
22 E Washington St Suite 650
Phone: +1 317-951-0087
Defend Indiana
499 S 9th St Suite 500
Phone: +1 888-318-1594
David M. Seiter Law
11 Municipal Dr Suite 320-D
Phone: +1 317-588-2866
Semko Law Office
833 W Lincoln Hwy #450E
Phone: +1 219-802-5720
Abels Law Office
101 W Ohio St #2000
Phone: +1 317-397-0264
The Region Lawyers
9223 Broadway #E
Phone: +1 219-961-3814
Patel Defense
499 S 9th St Ste A
Phone: +1 317-643-5459
Chambers Law Office
6612 E 75th St Ste 475
Phone: +1 317-450-2971
Harwell Gray Legal Counsel
156 E Market St #300
Phone: +1 317-500-4435
David E. Lewis Law
156 E Market St Suite 800-A
Phone: +1 317-636-7514
Razumich & Associates
156 E Market St #1300
Phone: +1 317-983-5333
The Nice Law Firm
1311 W 96th St Suite 200
Phone: +1 463-348-2538
Harper and Harper
304 W U.S. Hwy 6 Suite A
Phone: +1 219-733-8837
Swenson & Associates
301 East Carmel Drive
Phone: +1 317-564-4848
Jeff Cardella Law
350 Massachusetts Ave #357
Phone: +1 317-695-7700
Xpunge Indy
333 Alabama St Ste 350
Phone: +1 317-647-5476
Josiah Swinney Law
951 N Delaware St
Phone: +1 317-753-7134
Hessler Law PC
120 E Market St #420
Phone: +1 317-430-1002
Indiana’s Second Chance Law is the expungement and sealing framework in Indiana Code 35 38 9. It lets many people ask a court to restrict public access to old arrests and convictions after waiting periods and after paying all court costs and restitution. Arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal can be cleared, and many misdemeanor and felony convictions can be sealed from public view under sections that fit the level of the case. Law enforcement and certain agencies keep access to these files and the records are not destroyed. Petitions must be filed in the correct county and the court will transmit granted orders to the Indiana State Police so the central repository updates.
How much does expungement cost in Indiana?
Filing fees for convictions usually follow the civil filing fee charged by the clerk in the county where you file. Petitions to expunge arrests under Indiana Code 35 38 9 1 do not require a filing fee, but that section applies only to arrests or cases that did not lead to a conviction. Attorney fees are separate and vary by case complexity, the number of counties involved, and the need for hearings or certified records.
Do I need a lawyer to expunge my record in Indiana?
You can file on your own, and many people do so. The statutes are detailed and have strict rules about timing, contents of the petition, and service on agencies. Official court materials describe the process as complex for convictions, so careful reading of the law and court guides is necessary if you proceed without counsel.
Which crimes are eligible for expungement in Indiana?
Eligibility depends on the level of the offense and exclusions listed in sections 2 through 5 of the statute. Certain serious crimes, some sex offenses, and offenses involving public office are excluded or have stricter standards. Read the specific section that matches your highest conviction level and check the exclusions before you file.
How long does the expungement process take in Indiana?
Timelines vary by county and the type of petition. Courts must notify prosecutors and agencies, and some cases require a hearing. Expect weeks to a few months from filing to order, with additional time for state police processing after the court grants relief.
Can I get an expungement in Indiana for free?
There is no filing fee for a petition to expunge an arrest or non conviction record under section 35 38 9 1. Conviction expungements generally require the standard civil filing fee unless you qualify for a fee waiver from the court. Legal aid groups and clinics may help with forms, but you must still meet all statutory requirements.
What happens if my expungement is denied?
If the court denies the petition, the expungement case file remains public under court rules. You may correct problems and refile if the statute allows, or you can seek consent from the prosecutor for earlier timelines where the law permits it. Review the denial and the applicable section carefully before filing again.
What are the benefits of expungement in Indiana?
Public access to the expunged records is restricted and standard background checks should not show sealed convictions. Agencies such as courts, police, the Department of Correction, and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles can still view nonpublic records for limited purposes. Employers and landlords who rely on commercial screeners usually see only the limited criminal history after the state police seal the central repository entry.
Who can still see expunged records?
Courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement retain access as allowed by statute. Certain government or licensing agencies may obtain nonpublic information when the law authorizes disclosure. The general public and most private background screeners cannot access sealed conviction records once processing is complete.
What is Indiana’s Second Chance Law?
It is the name commonly used for Indiana Code 35 38 9, the set of statutes that govern expungement and sealing of criminal records. The law lays out separate sections for arrests, misdemeanors, lower level felonies, and more serious felonies. It also sets waiting periods, exclusions, and what the court must order if the petition is granted.
Can local police still see expunged records?
Yes. A granted order directs the Indiana State Police to seal entries in the central repository and limits release, but it does not erase law enforcement access permitted by law. Police and prosecutors may view nonpublic records for limited legal purposes.
Will an expunged record show on background checks in Indiana?
After the court grants relief and the order is processed, standard limited criminal history checks should not display sealed convictions. Some checks run by government or licensing bodies have deeper access when the law allows it. Keep a copy of your order because some private databases update slowly and you may need to provide proof.
What are the waiting periods to file in Indiana?
Arrests that did not lead to conviction are generally eligible after one year, with an option for earlier filing if the prosecutor consents. Many misdemeanors require a five year wait from conviction unless the prosecutor agrees to an earlier time. Felony waits vary by level and section, and serious felonies have longer waits and more limits.
Are any expungements automatic in Indiana?
Recent updates allow automatic expungement of certain dismissed or acquitted charges after a set period, ordered by the court without a petition. This applies in limited circumstances outlined in section 35 38 9 1 and does not cover convictions. Most relief still requires a verified petition and compliance with the statute.
Do I have to file all my cases at once?
Indiana groups petitions by county and by the statutory section that applies to your highest conviction. The rules expect you to include all convictions from a county in a single filing sequence under that section. Splitting cases across multiple filings can create problems and lead to denial.
How many times can I expunge convictions in Indiana?
The statute treats conviction expungement as a one time remedy, so you should plan the filing carefully. If you miss eligible cases or file in the wrong order, you can lose your chance to include them later. Read the section that applies to you and prepare a complete list before filing.
Does expungement restore firearm rights in Indiana?
No. Expungement restricts public access to criminal records but it does not automatically restore firearm rights that were lost due to a conviction. Restoration follows separate statutes and procedures and may require additional court action.
Will expungement help with professional licensing?
Many licensing bodies have access to nonpublic records, so an agency can still review your history as permitted by law. Even so, sealing removes records from routine public searches and commercial background reports. A clean public record can improve application outcomes in fields that use standard screening tools.
Do I need to notify the Indiana State Police after the court grants expungement?
No. The court forwards the verified petition and the order to the Indiana State Police Expungement Section after a grant. The state police then update the central repository and related limited criminal history entries. You should still keep your own certified copy for your records.
How do I get my Indiana criminal history to check what is on record?
You can request a limited criminal history from the Indiana State Police. That is the database most employers and landlords use for Indiana checks. Review it for accuracy before you file and correct any identity issues that could cause delays.
Are traffic and OWI cases eligible for expungement?
Some traffic related convictions are eligible based on the section and level, while others are excluded by statute. OWI eligibility depends on offense level, prior record, and specific exclusions. Read the section that matches your highest conviction and confirm any listed exceptions before filing.
Can juvenile records be expunged in Indiana?
Yes, juvenile delinquency allegations and certain related records can be expunged or sealed under the same chapter when conditions are met. The rules are not identical to adult convictions and the timelines differ. Review section 35 38 9 1 and the court guidance for details.
Which county do I file in?
File arrest expungements in the county of the arrest if no charges were filed, or in the county where the case was filed if charges existed. File conviction expungements in the county of conviction. This filing location rule is spelled out in the statute and court materials.
Will records be destroyed after expungement?
No. Indiana treats this as restricted use and sealing rather than destruction. Records remain with the court and agencies but public access is limited and the state police seal limited criminal history entries.
Official Sources
- Indiana General Assembly — Indiana Code Title 35
- Indiana Judicial Branch — Expungement Statutes Summary
- Indiana Judicial Branch — Detailed Information on Criminal Case Expungement
- Indiana Courts — Self Service Legal Center
- Indiana State Police — Expunge Criminal History
- Indiana State Police — Criminal History Services
- City of Indianapolis — Second Chance Law information