Expungements

An arrest, charge, or conviction can follow you for years—showing up on background checks and affecting employment, housing, education, and loans. In many cases, the record doesn’t reflect the full story, and it can create obstacles long after the case is over.

The good news is that Indiana’s “Second Chance Law” may allow you to pursue expungement and record sealing, helping limit public access to qualifying records.

At Jones Law Office, our Indiana expungement attorneys help clients pursue record relief the right way—so you have the best possible chance of success the first time. We are based in Northern Indiana and handle expungements throughout the entire state of Indiana.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is a court order that can limit public access to certain criminal records by sealing them under Indiana law. For many people, that means an old arrest, charge, or conviction is far less likely to appear on the background checks used by employers, landlords, and lenders—making it easier to move forward without the past constantly resurfacing.

Indiana allows eligible individuals to seek this relief under what is often called the Indiana Second Chance Law. While expungement does not “rewrite history” in every situation, it can make a meaningful difference in how your record is viewed and accessed. Certain expunged records may still be available to law enforcement and the courts, and eligibility depends on the type of case and the outcome.

Indiana law also provides for automatic expungement in some non-conviction situations, depending on when the case was filed and how it ended. We can review your record and explain what relief may be available in your situation.

Why Should I Speak to an Expungement Attorney?

Indiana has different rules depending on the type of record and the relief requested. Filing incorrectly—or too early—can lead to delays or denial.

At Jones Law Office, we help clients avoid common problems such as:
• Filing too early (before the waiting period is satisfied)
• Filing in the wrong county or under the wrong statute
• Using the wrong forms or missing required information
• Multi-case and multi-county issues that require careful coordination

For the majority of expungements, no court appearance or office visit is necessary, and we routinely handle complex multi-county expungements.

We Help with Expungements for Matters Such As:

Case types and outcomes
• Arrests
• Criminal charges (misdemeanor and felony)
• Convictions

Offense levels (where applicable)
• Misdemeanor criminal charges (Class A, B, C)
• Felony criminal charges (Levels 1–6 / Class A, B, C, D)

Records, filings, and court history
• Police arrest records
• Trial court records
• Appellate records
• Post conviction records
• Forfeiture filings

Additional record categories
• DCS records
• Juvenile records
• Eviction records

Eligibility depends on the type of record and the facts of the case, and not every record qualifies for expungement or sealing.

What We Do for You

Expungement often requires gathering records and following strict procedures. Our attorneys handle the legwork and guide you through the process, including:

Prepare your expungement petition draft
There are a number of records you may need to obtain to draft your expungement petition. Records can include criminal history information, court documents, and other identifying details. Our attorneys can help gather the necessary records and prepare a complete petition.

File the forms within the time limit
To qualify for expungement, you cannot file your paperwork too early. Depending on the type of record, you might have to wait 1 to 10 years to file for expungement—unless the prosecutor consents in writing to an earlier period in situations where early expungement is appropriate.

Complete the correct forms
Indiana has different forms and procedures depending on the type of crime and the type of relief requested. We make sure the correct paperwork is filed properly and efficiently to give you the best chance of success.

If you’re not sure what’s on your record—or what a background check is actually showing—we can help you identify the records involved and determine the best strategy.

Need an Expungement Attorney?

If you or a loved one needs an expungement, you need strong, dedicated representation.

We are here and ready to help with every step of the process—from reviewing your record and eligibility, to preparing and filing your petition, to addressing any objections or hearings that may arise.

Call Jones Law Office at (574) 239-7017 or fill out the form to schedule a free consultation today.