Lake County Indiana Expungement Lawyer

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Record Clearing Attorney Serving Northwest Indiana

 

Is an Old Mistake Haunting You - Consider an Expungement!

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Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. For some of us, the mistake leads to a bit of embarrassment and possibly a financial inconvenience. For others, it hangs around in the form of a written criminal record that follows the individual everywhere he or she goes.

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If you have a criminal matter in your past, you may very well have already discovered just how bothersome that record can be. Many people, from potential employers to potential dates, have the ability to look you up and read all the embarrassing details. This can result in lost opportunities, lost wages, and even an inability to find a job.

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Nobody deserves to have their past mistakes haunt them indefinitely. That’s why you should come talk with us about the possibility of getting your records expunged. Pursuant to the law, if you meet certain standards, you are eligible to have your criminal records expunged.

 

What is Expungement?

Here at Namie Bauer & Associates, a question we frequently see is, “Just what is an expungement, anyway”? Simply put, an expungement is a process that you can undertake to have your criminal records destroyed or sealed and only available in certain very limited circumstances.

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Under Indiana law, once your record has been expunged, the only way it can be accessed is if a court orders it so, or if a law enforcement officer accesses it as part of his or her official duties. Even then, it is illegal for anyone to discriminate against you on the basis of something in a criminal record that has been expunged. This means that a potential employer should not be able to access your criminal records, and even if he or she does, he or she may not discriminate against you because of their contents.

 

Requirements for an Expungement

Of course, as you can probably imagine, there are some requirements that you must meet before you can be eligible to have your records expunged. Among others, you must not:

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Have any criminal charges pending in any case filed against you;

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Have a driver’s license that is suspended for any reason;

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Have been convicted of any crime for a period of time ranging between 5 and 10 years (the exact time length will depend on how serious the crime is).

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Generally, you can petition the court and ask to have your misdemeanor records expunged any time after 5 years have passed from the date of your conviction. If you were convicted of a felony, the waiting period will be either 8 years (if it was a non-violent felony) or 10 years (with more serious felonies). Note that if you were convicted of a more serious felony, you will also need to seek the approval of the prosecutor who managed the case.

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If you are seeking to expunge your arrest records for an arrest that did not lead to a conviction (or a conviction that was eventually overturned) you need only wait 1 year after the date you were arrested.

The cost of an expungement is simply the filing fee for the court where you file the action to have your records expunged. Unlike some states where the expungement process is viewed as a way to generate revenue—and where those unfortunate enough to seek an expungement can expect hefty fees in the thousands of dollars—Indiana treats the process the same as any other petition for relief.

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In addition—and this is very important—you should be aware that you can only have your records expunged one time in your life. This means that it is absolutely vital that you do not make any mistakes in the process or accidentally neglect to include a conviction that you want to have expunged.

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Requirements for an expungement are stringent, and because of the fact that you can only have your records expunged one time, it is crucial that you retain the services of an attorney who is well-versed in the field. At Namie Bauer & Assocaites, we provide you the service you expect from an attorney that has the experience to get the job done right.

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If you are facing the prospect of dealing with your record for the rest of your life, we may be able to help you. A job search can be tough enough without dealing with the skeletons from your past. Talk to us about an expungement, and let us help you start the rest of your life with a clean slate.

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Contact An Expungement Lawyer For Help

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Do you need the help of an expungement lawyer? Contact The Law Offices of Paul M. Namie, LLC for help. We offer free consultations and case reviews to evaluate your case. We have years of professional legal experience serving clients within expungement / record sealing law and other legal matters. Please schedule an appointment by  a contacting our law firm - we serve clients throughout Northwest Indiana.

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