Add Checkbox Fields Legal Iowa Expungement Forms For Free

Besides narrow circumstances such as hiring for public safety-related positions (e.g., law enforcement) and those that require security clearances (such as some federal employment), an expunged record is unavailable to businesses and likely illegal to use for any employment purposes.

Yes. You are allowed to pursue your case “pro se,” meaning without an attorney. The court might provide the forms you need to file the petition. However, the process of expunging a criminal record can be challenging.

FBI background checks, particularly those using Live Scan fingerprinting, are comprehensive and can uncover expunged records. However, legal protections may prevent employers from considering expunged convictions during hiring. For more updated expungement law in Florida, read this: Florida New Expungement Law in 2024!

Expungement laws in Indiana allow for the expungement or sealing of arrests that did not result in a conviction, as well as certain felony convictions at least eight years old, misdemeanor convictions at least five years old, and more.

Misdemeanor conviction expunged records are not available to anyone except by court order; however, there is no criteria for such an order in code or rule.

The Difference Between Sealing and Expunging Criminal Records. In Indiana, expunged records are not destroyed or erased, as seen in other parts of the United States. Following IC 35–38–9, if a court grants the request to expunge a criminal case file, the criminal record is sealed.

There are even some types of misdemeanors that cannot be expunged, so unfortunately a felony conviction is going to stay on your record no matter what you do.

For misdemeanors and lower level felonies, you must satisfy these requirements: At least five years since the conviction. No convictions in the five years before applying for an expungement. No currently pending criminal charges. Payment of all fines, fees, court costs, and restitution orders.

At least eight years since the conviction. No convictions in the eight years before applying for an expungement. No currently pending criminal charges. Payment of all fines, fees, court costs, and restitution orders.