Indiana’s Second Chance Law—commonly called the expungement law—isn’t just legal jargon. It’s a real, tangible opportunity to hit reset on your life. If you’ve ever been turned down for a job, denied housing, or felt stuck in the shadow of a past mistake, this law could be your way out.
Sure, your criminal history might still be visible to law enforcement. But for nearly every other purpose—employment, housing, gun rights, professional licensing—it can be like those mistakes never happened. That’s the power of an expungement in Indiana.
Who Qualifies for an Expungement?
The good news? Most people qualify. Eventually.
Indiana’s expungement law is structured around time and offense level. That means your eligibility depends on what you were convicted of and how long it’s been since that conviction. Let’s break it down.
1. Misdemeanors
If your criminal history is all misdemeanors—no felonies at all—you’re on the five-year plan. You’re eligible for expungement five years from the date of your most recent misdemeanor conviction.
Example: Convictions in 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2019? You’re eligible in 2024. It’s five years from that 2019 conviction, no matter how many misdemeanors came before.
This rule applies whether you had one misdemeanor or a dozen. As long as there are no felonies in your record, the five-year clock is your countdown.
2. Felonies (Level 6 and Higher)
If you have even one felony conviction, your waiting period changes. You’re now looking at eight years from the date of your most recent conviction—even if that last conviction was just a misdemeanor.
Example: Felonies in 2006 and 2010, misdemeanor in 2018? Despite the recent charge being minor, you’re not eligible until 2026—eight years after that 2018 misdemeanor.
Why? Because once there’s a felony in your background, Indiana law treats your timeline differently. It’s not about severity of the last conviction—it’s about the most serious one on your record.
3. Major Felonies
Now we’re talking about more serious convictions—things like higher-level felonies that carry longer sentences or more severe consequences. For these, the eligibility rule gets a little more nuanced. You’re looking at:
- Eight years from the date of conviction, OR
- Three years from the end of your sentence—whichever comes later.
This isn’t always simple math. Sentencing structures, probation terms, and suspended sentences can all complicate the timeline. That’s where our team comes in—we’ll review the details of your case and give you a straight answer.
Pro Tip: If you’re not eligible yet, we’ll still give you a roadmap. We can help you plan ahead and get everything ready to file the minute you’re eligible.
4. Felonies Reduced to Misdemeanors
Here’s a bit of good news you might not expect: If your felony was reduced to a misdemeanor, it’s treated as a misdemeanor from day one. That means the five-year rule applies—not the eight.
Example: You pled down a felony to a misdemeanor in 2019? You’re eligible for expungement in 2024, not 2027.
That reduction changes the legal classification for expungement purposes. It’s a small detail with big implications.
The Importance of Timing and Preparation
Being eligible is just the first step. You still need to prepare and file the expungement petition—and if you’re serious about moving forward, you want that paperwork ready to go the day you’re eligible.
Here’s the typical timeline once we file your petition with the court:
- The State has 30 to 60 days to respond.
- The court may hold a hearing or decide the petition based on the paperwork.
- If all goes well, your record is sealed shortly after.
Important: Expungement isn’t automatic. The law gives you the opportunity, but you have to act on it. We make sure everything is ready and filed properly so you don’t miss your shot.
The Long-Term Payoff
Once granted, an expungement can:
- Clean up your public record
- Restore your gun rights (in many cases)
- Improve your job and housing opportunities
- Help with licensing boards and background checks
Even if your record isn’t a deal-breaker now, it might be down the line. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards are only getting more selective.
Ready to Start Over?
You’ve already paid the price. You don’t need to keep carrying that burden. Whether you’re five years out or still counting down to eight, now is the time to start planning.
Take our quick expungement quiz to find out if you’re eligible. Or just give us a call at 317-632-3642. We’ll take a look at your record and give you a clear answer—no legalese, no fluff.
We believe in second chances. We’ve helped hundreds of Hoosiers reclaim their future, and we’d love to help you do the same.
And remember—always plead the 5th.