Clear Your Past: Indianapolis Expungement Attorney

Last updated on November 19, 2025

If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you may be wondering if your criminal record can ever be erased. The answer is yes, but it may take a while and require a lot of hard work. One way to erase your criminal record is to get an expungement. An expungement is a court order that seals and destroys all records of your arrest and/or conviction. Once your record has been expunged, it will look like you were never arrested or convicted of a crime.

At Harwell Criminal Defense, we can help you get your criminal record expunged. We will work closely with you to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome for your case. We will thoroughly review your case and provide you with the legal guidance that you need. We will work hard to make sure that your criminal record is expunged as quickly as possible.

Call 317-344-9085 today to schedule your consultation with an Indianapolis expungement lawyer. We are ready to help you with charges throughout Marion, Hendricks, Hamilton, Johnson and Hancock counties.

What Is An Expungement?

A criminal record expungement is a court order that seals and destroys all records of your arrest and/or conviction. Once your record has been expunged, it will look like you were never arrested or convicted of a crime.

How Does An Expungement Work?

If you were convicted of a crime, you may be able to expunge your criminal record. Only certain crimes are eligible for expungement. You may also be able to expunge your record if you were arrested but never convicted of a crime. In order to qualify for an expungement, you must wait the required amount of time before filing your petition. You may also have to pay a filing fee.

Once you have filed your petition, the court will hold a hearing to determine whether your record should be expunged. The prosecutor’s office will be notified of your petition. They may choose to object to your petition. If the court grants your petition and approves your expungement, the court will issue an expungement order.

After the court issues the expungement order, you will have to file a petition for certification with the Indiana Department of Correction. This is a separate court petition that will be filed with the Indiana Supreme Court. Once this petition has been approved, the Indiana Department of Correction will seal your criminal record and destroy all records of your arrest and/or conviction.

What Crimes Are Eligible For Expungement In Indiana?

In Indiana, there are several crimes that are eligible for expungement. Some of these crimes include:

Traffic offenses
Drug crimes
Domestic violence
Sex crimes
Misdemeanors
Felonies

If you are convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you may be able to expunge your record. You may also be able to expunge your record if you were arrested but never convicted of a crime. In order to qualify for an expungement, you must wait the required amount of time before filing your petition. You may also have to pay a filing fee.

Once you have filed your petition, the court will hold a hearing to determine whether your record should be expunged. The prosecutor’s office will be notified of your petition. They may choose to object to your petition. If the court grants your petition and approves your expungement, the court will issue an expungement order.

After the court issues the expungement order, you will have to file a petition for certification with the Indiana Department of Correction. This is a separate court petition that will be filed with the Indiana Supreme Court. Once this petition has been approved, the Indiana Department of Correction will seal your criminal record and destroy all records of your arrest and/or conviction.

How Can You Get Your Criminal Record Expunged?

If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you may be wondering if your criminal record can ever be erased. The answer is yes, but it may take a while and require a lot of hard work. One way to erase your criminal record is to get an expungement. An expungement is a court order that seals and destroys all records of your arrest and/or conviction. Once your record has been expunged, it will look like you were never arrested or convicted of a crime.

After Expungement, Will A Criminal Record Still Show Up In Background Checks In Indiana?

When a court approves expungement petitions, the record is sealed from public access. This means that employers, landlords and most organizations running background checks will no longer see the expunged case. However, certain government agencies, law enforcement and courts may still have limited access under Indiana law.

It is important to note that while the Second Chance Law provides broad protection, private companies using outdated databases might still show old information. If this occurs, you may need to provide proof of the expungement order or certified copies of the court’s approval.

Is It Possible To Expunge Multiple Offenses From My Criminal Record In Indiana?

Yes, multiple offenses may be eligible for expungement, but the rules differ depending on the type and seriousness of the criminal charges. Generally, you must include all eligible convictions in a single petition for expungement, and you may only file once in your lifetime.

Some key points to consider include:

Minor offenses, such as misdemeanors, are usually easier to expunge.
Certain felonies, including a Level 6 felony, may also qualify if the conditions of Indiana Expungement Law are met.
Serious cases involving serious bodily injury or sex crimes may not be eligible at all.

If you forget to list an eligible conviction, you lose the chance to expunge it later. This makes a careful review of your full criminal history essential before filing. Legal guidance is critical to avoid mistakes that could limit your chance for relief under the Second Chance Law.

What Is The Typical Duration For Completing The Expungement Process In Indiana?

The time it takes to finish the process depends on the case complexity. On average, completing an expungement may take several months. Courts review the petition for expungement, check the criminal history and verify eligibility before issuing an order.

Factors that influence timing include:

How quickly records are gathered and filed.
The county’s backlog and scheduling.
Whether the prosecutor objects to the request.

The number of offenses included in the petition may increase review time, since multiple cases can add review time. In some situations, individuals may see results in as little as 60 to 90 days, but more complex petitions can stretch closer to a year.

Is There A Mandatory Waiting Period Before Seeking Expungement Of An Arrest, Charge Or Conviction?

Yes, there are different waiting periods under Indiana law depending on the type of case:

Arrests that did not result in a conviction may be eligible for expungement after one year.
Misdemeanor convictions usually require five years.
Felony convictions, including a Level 6 felony, generally require at least eight years.

More serious felonies carry longer waiting periods or may be excluded entirely if they involve serious bodily injury.

If the governor pardoned you, the waiting period may be shorter, but eligibility still depends on the crime involved.

These time frames exist to show rehabilitation and good conduct. Filing too early can result in denial, so it is important to calculate the eligibility date correctly. Our attorney is familiar with the Indiana Expungement Law and can confirm the right time to file.

What Conditions Must Be Met For A Record To Be Eligible For Expungement?

Eligibility is not automatic. Courts will review specific conditions before granting a petition for expungement. Common requirements include:

Completion of all sentences, probation and parole.
Payment of all fines, restitution and court costs.
No new criminal charges pending at the time of filing.
Meeting the minimum waiting period under Indiana law.
Compliance with the limits of the Second Chance Law regarding the types of crimes that qualify.
Demonstrating good behavior and no new arrests during the waiting period.

Some crimes, such as murder, human trafficking or crimes involving elected officials, are excluded from eligibility.

Since every situation is unique, even one missed condition can cause the petition to fail. Legal assistance helps ensure your record is presented correctly and all requirements are addressed before submission.

Can You Expunge Records From Different Counties Within Indiana?

Yes, but this requires careful handling. Indiana Expungement Law allows you to clear records from multiple counties, but you must file separate expungement petitions in each county where a case exists. The challenge is that all petitions must be filed within one year of each other.

This means:

A record in County A and County B must be filed within the same one-year window.
Each county will charge its court costs and follow its own procedures.
Failing to file in one county during the allowed timeframe may block you from returning later.
Some counties move faster than others, so coordinating filings with deadlines is critical.

Because of this complexity, attorneys often coordinate filings across counties to meet deadlines and maintain compliance with the Second Chance Law. If you have convictions in multiple counties, planning a strategy early helps ensure you do not miss the filing window.

At Harwell Criminal Defense, we can help you get your criminal record expunged. We will work closely with you to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome for your case.

Call 317-344-9085 today to schedule your consultation with an Indianapolis expungement lawyer.