Lake County, IN Expungement Lawyers

Helping Clients in Lake County Seek a Clean Criminal Record

There is no doubt that a criminal record can haunt you for years to come. After you finish paying your fines and serving your jail time or probation, you can still feel the effects of your conviction in many ways. This is why many people in Indiana wonder whether they are eligible for expungement of their record.

Each state has its own laws regarding expungement, and Indiana has recently updated its own Second Chance Law to provide offenders the chance to find relief from a criminal conviction. The Lake County, IN expungement lawyers at Arshad, Pangere & Warring, LLP, regularly help clients obtain expungements, and we can evaluate your options under the law. 

What is an Expungement in Indiana?

In 2013, the “Second Chance Law” went into effect that allowed many individuals with criminal records to obtain an expungement. At this time, an expungement in Indiana does not completely erase your record, but instead will “seal” it. This means that employers, landlords, and other private parties will not see your conviction, though certain law enforcement agencies may still access the information. Sealing a record still has many benefits, however, and it is worth exploring this possibility.

Why Seek an Expungement?

A criminal record can have many unexpected and lasting effects on your life. Only some of these effects include:

• You may lose your job
• You may have difficulty finding a new job
• You may have trouble finding housing to rent
• You may lose or become disqualified for educational programs
• You may lose or become disqualified for a professional license
• You may lose or become disqualified for public benefits
• You may face immigration consequences and travel restrictions

An expungement can alleviate many of the above impacts of a criminal record. In fact, Indiana law prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants or employees with an expunged record. 

Who is Eligible?

While not every conviction is eligible for expungement, many are with a specific waiting period. Some of the general waiting periods from the date of conviction are as follows:

• One year for an arrest or dismissed charge
• Five years for misdemeanor offenses
• Eight years for Class D or Level 6 felony offenses or other less serious felonies
• Ten years for more serious felony offenses

In most cases, after the waiting period, you can obtain an expungement if you have completed your sentence, paid all fines, have no pending charges, and have no subsequent conviction within five years. Expungements are not available for sex offenders or violent offenders in Indiana, though the prosecutor may consent to expunge a violent offense after ten years in limited circumstances. 

Discuss Your Options with a Lake County, IN Expungement Lawyer Today

At the law firm of Arshad, Pangere & Warring, LLP, our Lake County expungement attorneys will explore every possible avenue to have your record cleared. If you are experiencing the consequences of a criminal record and want relief, contact our law firm directly today to learn more about how we might help.