Expungement Attorney in Bloomington
Last updated on May 19, 2026
Turn to our legal team at Law Offices of Paul D. Baugh, PC, with its more than 35 years of combined experience, to guide you through the complexities of expungement law. Expungement refers to the process by which criminal records are destroyed or sealed so that afterward they are only available under very specific and limited circumstances.
Expungement is a complicated process in itself. In addition, an individual only has one opportunity per lifetime to petition for expungement. It is vital that you work with trusted attorneys who have a strong command of expungement law.
Understanding Indiana’s New Expungement Laws
In Indiana today, expunged records are sealed and can only be released to a law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity or by court order. Under the new Indiana law, when a court expunges a person’s conviction, some of the civil rights of that person are restored. It is then illegal for anyone to discriminate against him or her, based on the expunged conviction, including discrimination in regard to employment.
Why Seek Expungement Of Your Criminal Record?
Expungement offers life-changing benefits, removing barriers that criminal records create. In background checks, employers often reject qualified applicants based on past convictions, but an expungement lawyer in Bloomington, Indiana, can help you clear your criminal record in Monroe County, opening doors to better opportunities.
Additionally, landlords frequently deny housing applications to individuals with criminal histories, limiting where you can live.
Who Is Eligible For Expungement In Indiana?
Indiana expungement eligibility depends on the conviction type and how much time has passed. Misdemeanors require waiting five years after conviction before pursuing expungement, while most felonies require eight years. Juvenile offenses follow different rules, often allowing expungement upon adulthood if they have maintained clean records. Certain serious violent felonies and sex offenses remain ineligible for expungement under Indiana law.
Dismissed charges and acquittals can be expunged immediately with no waiting period and multiple convictions may qualify if each offense meets eligibility requirements and proper waiting periods have passed.
The Expungement Process
Working with a Bloomington expungement attorney through the Indiana expungement process involves several critical steps requiring precise legal execution. Initial consultations assess your eligibility and develop case strategies.
Your attorney then gathers complete criminal records from courts and law enforcement agencies, documenting all convictions and arrests. Next, your lawyer prepares and files the expungement petition in Monroe County court, including detailed legal arguments supporting your request.
Waiting periods follow while the prosecutor reviews the petition and determines whether to contest expungements. Court hearings may occur upon the prosecutor’s objection, requiring your attorney to present evidence demonstrating you deserve relief.
How Long Does Expungement Take In Indiana?
The Indiana expungement process typically requires three to six months from petition filing to final orders. However, contested cases may take longer depending on court schedules and prosecutorial objections.
What Happens After A Record Is Expunged?
Once courts grant expungement, records become sealed and inaccessible to most background checks. Indiana law restores certain civil rights and prohibits discrimination based on expunged convictions, allowing you to legally state you have not been convicted of the expunged offense in most circumstances.
Be Treated With Respect When You Need Legal Advice
Get straightforward legal counsel at competitive rates when you come to us at the locally owned and operated Law Offices of Paul D. Baugh, PC. Nobody can predict the future, but we can make sure that you get everything that you’re legally entitled to in the event of personal injury, wrongful death, family disputes or criminal cases. As a lifelong resident of south-central Indiana, our founding attorney has a thorough understanding of the laws that govern this state. Call us at 812-333-9688 to get started with a free consultation or reach out to us online to make an appointment.