
Call 317-695-7700 right now to start your Indiana expungement. I, Jeff Cardella, have personally handled thousands of expungements and practice in every county in Indiana with a success rate over 99%. I stand behind every single case with a full 100% money-back guarantee on ALL expungements — misdemeanors, Level 6 felonies, D felonies, and major felonies. If we don’t get your record expunged, you receive a full refund.
Most expungements require no court appearance and no office visit. We handle everything and usually finish in 30-60 days.
Email me at jeffcardella@cardellalawoffice.com with your date of birth and the exact spelling of your name as it appears on mycase.in.gov for a free eligibility review today or check out my Indiana Expungement Guide and Cheat Sheets.
Indiana’s Second Chance Law – Your Path to a Clean Record
Indiana’s expungement law (IC 35-38-9) is one of the most powerful second-chance laws in the country. It lets you clear arrests, dismissed cases, misdemeanors, and many felonies so employers, landlords, and the public can’t see them. Law enforcement and courts still have access, but your everyday life gets dramatically better.
I’ve practiced criminal defense my entire career, taught criminal law at the IU McKinney School of Law, and have been recognized as a Top 100 Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers, a Top Ten Attorney in Indiana by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, and a Top 10 Under 40 Criminal Defense Attorney by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Who Qualifies for Expungement in Indiana?
- Arrests or cases with no conviction (dismissed, not guilty, diversion, or acquittal) – eligible after 1 year (many cases filed after June 30, 2022 are automatically expunged).
- Misdemeanor convictions (including D or Level 6 felonies reduced to misdemeanor) – 5 years from the date of conviction.
- Level 6 or D felony convictions (not reduced to misdemeanor) – 8 years from conviction.
- Major felonies – 8 or 10 years (court has discretion and prosecutor consent is often required; violent crimes, sex offenses, and certain other serious felonies are generally ineligible or restricted).
- DCS (child abuse/neglect) records and eviction records – we handle these too.
You must have no pending charges, no new convictions during the waiting period, and all fines, fees, costs, and restitution paid in full. You generally get only one lifetime expungement petition (with limited exceptions for multiple counties).
My Money Back Guarantee on ALL Expungements
I offer a full money-back guarantee on every expungement I take. Other attorneys offer limited guarantees or guarantees that have too much fine print. I put my money where my mouth is — if the court denies your petition for any reason, you receive a full 100% refund.
Payment Plans & Affordable Pricing
We keep fees reasonable and offer “buy now, pay later” options through Affirm and Afterpay. Just click “PAY LATER” on the payment page.
The Indiana Expungement Process – What to Expect
- Gather your records and case details from mycase.in.gov or the Indiana State Police.
- We prepare and file a precise petition in the correct county (or counties).
- The prosecutor is notified and has 30 days to object (objections are rare on straightforward cases).
- In most cases there is no hearing — the judge rules on the paperwork.
- Once granted, we make sure the order is sent to the State Police, courts, and all relevant agencies.
The entire process is usually complete in 30-60 days.
Early Expungement Is Possible
The waiting period can often be waived if the prosecutor agrees in writing. I have successfully obtained early expungements in many counties when clients have strong reasons (new job offer, housing needs, etc.) and can show clear rehabilitation — restitution and fines paid in full, required classes or community service completed, and a clean record since the conviction.
Success depends on the county and the individual prosecutor, but I’ll give you an honest assessment of your chances right away. Do not file while you are still on probation. If you have cases in multiple counties, we handle them together so you don’t waste your one lifetime petition.
My full money-back guarantee applies to early expungement cases too. I guarantee the expungement will be granted — I cannot guarantee exactly when, but I guarantee the result.
Real Benefits of Clearing Your Record
Clients tell me the difference is life-changing:
- Better job opportunities — employers no longer see the record on background checks.
- Easier housing approval — landlords can’t deny you based on old mistakes.
- Peace of mind — you stop worrying every time someone runs your name.
One recent client in Indianapolis had a 2015 misdemeanor theft conviction expunged. Within months he was hired for a job he had been turned down for twice before. That’s the kind of result we deliver every week.
Does Expungement Restore Gun Rights in Indiana?
Yes, in most cases. An expungement fully restores civil rights, including the right to possess firearms under both Indiana and federal law (per the 2019 Indiana Attorney General advisory opinion). Domestic violence convictions often require a seperate petition to be filed in order to restore firearm rights. Call me to review your specific situation.
Why Hire an Attorney Instead of Doing It Yourself?
You can technically file your own expungement petition. But here’s the reality: Indiana gives you only one lifetime chance at most expungements. Filing an expungement petition is much like changing the transmission in a car — it is not particularly difficult if you know what you are doing, but if you don’t know what you are doing, it is likely to go badly.
One procedural mistake or failure to prepare for prosecutor objections can lead to an automatic denial — and you usually don’t get a second chance. If you are a pro se litigant going against a licensed attorney in a procedural chess game, you are almost always going to lose.
You get one-on-one attention from me personally, Jeff Cardella — not a paralegal or junior associate. I know every county’s local practices, how to handle prosecutor objections, and exactly what judges want to see. My clients avoid the stress, the delays, and the costly do-overs. We also handle proper distribution of the order and guide you on running your own fingerprint background check afterward to confirm everything updated correctly.
I serve clients in every county across the entire state of Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take? Most cases are finished in 30-60 days once filed.
- How much does it cost? Court filing fee is $162 per county. My attorney fees are competitive and include the full money-back guarantee. Payment plans are available.
- Can I expunge multiple cases? Yes — we routinely handle multi-county and multi-case expungements at the same time.
- What if my petition is denied? With my guarantee, you receive a full refund.
Ready to clear your record and move forward?
Call today. Calls are answered 7 days a week.
I look forward to helping you get the fresh start you deserve.
Phone: 317-695-7700
Email: jeffcardella@cardellalawoffice.com
Address: 350 Massachusetts Ave #357, Indianapolis, IN 46204
DISCLAIMER - The information contained on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice or as an offer to perform legal services on any subject matter. The content of this web site contains general information and may not reflect current legal developments or information. The information is not guaranteed to be correct, complete or current. We make no warranty, expressed or implied, about the accuracy or reliability of the information at this website or at any other website to which it is linked. Recipients of content from this site should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in the site without seeking appropriate legal advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from an Indiana Criminal Defense attorney or attorney licensed in the recipient’s state. Nothing herein is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and shall not be construed as legal advice. This is not an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship.