Saturday, September 24, 2011

Records Removal Services - New Indiana Expungement Law

By: Records Removal Services

Until July 2011 people convicted of criminal offenses only had the option of a Pardon by the State of Indiana. Now, the Indiana Legislature passed legislation which Governor Mitch Daniels into law and effective July 01, 2011 allows non-violent offenders to have their criminal records sealed for misdemeanor and Class D felonies.

The new expungement law applies to people who people who after eight (8) years following the completion of their sentence to have their criminal records sealed.

If granted, an individual would not be required to disclose the conviction on employment applications or any other documents outside of the criminal justice system. Furthermore, it gives ex-offenders the ability to legally state on an application for employment that they have not been convicted or arrested for a crime, removing a large barrier in finding employment.

"Every legislative session, new laws pass that directly impact the lives of Hoosiers," said Jamal L. Smith, Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. "It's important that we share this information with people so that everyone has a clear understanding of their rights."

Even after a seal however, Records Removal Services must still update privately owned criminal databases.

> Posted by Records Removal Services. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.