Indiana’s Second Chance Law, also known as House Enrolled Act 1482, allows you to seal certain nonviolent criminal records. Since July 1, 2013, this law has helped people who meet eligibility requirements and show rehabilitation start fresh. If you have a misdemeanor or Class D (now Level 6) felony, you can petition the court to seal your record once you meet the law’s conditions.
Requirements for Expungement
This law lets you file for expungement after a waiting period, depending on the offense. You can expunge a misdemeanor after five years and a felony after eight years. These waiting periods start from your conviction date or the day you complete your sentence, whichever comes later. Some serious offenses, like murder, sex crimes, or crimes causing death or injury, don’t qualify.
To qualify, you need to meet several conditions. You must not have any pending charges or active investigations. You must complete all sentence terms, including probation, fines, and restitution. During the waiting period, you can’t commit new crimes. You also need to pay all court costs and expungement-related fees.
How does the expungement process work?
Once you meet the eligibility rules, you can file a petition with the court. You only get one chance in your lifetime to file, so make sure to include all eligible offenses. If the court approves your petition, it will seal your record.
After the court seals your record, the public can no longer view your offense. Employers, landlords, and background check services won’t see the expunged charges. Some government agencies can still access these records in specific cases.
Indiana’s Second Chance Law gives you a real opportunity to move forward without your past holding you back. You gain better access to jobs, housing, and other life opportunities. While this law offers a fresh start, you need to understand its limits. Some crimes don’t qualify, and you only get one filing opportunity. For many, this law opens the door to rebuild and contribute in new ways.