Clearing your criminal record can open doors to better jobs, housing, and opportunities. Indiana’s expungement law offers many people a chance to move forward, but not everyone meets the requirements. Knowing who qualifies helps you understand if this option fits your situation.
Eligibility for misdemeanor expungement
You may apply for expungement five years after your misdemeanor conviction date, unless the prosecutor agrees to a shorter period. You must finish your sentence, including probation, restitution, and fines. You also need a clean record during that time with no new convictions or pending charges. The court reviews your behavior since the conviction before granting approval.
Eligibility for felony expungement
Felony cases fall into three main categories. For Level 6 or Class D felonies, you can request expungement eight years after conviction or three years after completing your sentence, whichever comes later. For non-violent Level 5 or higher felonies, the waiting period is eight years after conviction or three years after sentence completion.
For serious felonies that involve public officials or serious bodily injury, you must wait ten years after conviction or five years after sentence completion, and the prosecutor must consent in writing. You also must complete all terms of your sentence, pay restitution, and avoid any new convictions during the waiting period.
Arrests, acquittals, and dismissed cases
If you were arrested but not convicted, or if the court dismissed your case, you can usually petition for expungement one year after your arrest or charge. Juvenile records also qualify in many cases, though the process may differ.
Why seek expungement
According to state law, when a court grants expungement, your record becomes sealed from public view. Employers and landlords cannot access it through background checks, though law enforcement and courts may still see the record for limited purposes, such as future investigations. Expungement does not erase the event entirely, but it removes it from public databases and most background screenings. Clearing your record helps you take back control of your future with confidence.