Ind. Code ch. 35-38-9

in effect

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-0.5 "Collateral action"

Sec. 0.5. As used in this chapter, "collateral action" means an action or proceeding, including an administrative proceeding, that is factually or legally related to an arrest, a criminal charge, a juvenile delinquency allegation, a conviction, or a juvenile delinquency adjudication. The term includes a proceeding or action concerning a seizure, a civil forfeiture, and a petition for specialized driving privileges. As added by P.L.219-2019, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-0.6 Effect of chapter; supplemental order of expungement due to change in laws; convictions relating to commercial motor vehicles

Sec. 0.6. (a) This chapter does not require any change or alteration in the following: (1) An internal record made by a: (A) law enforcement agency; or (B) public defender agency; that is not intended for release to the public. (2) A nonpublic record that relates to a diversion or deferral program. (3) A disciplinary record or proceeding as it relates to a licensing, certification, or public entity. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), the changes in this chapter made in SEA 235-2019 as enacted in the 2019 session of the general assembly apply only to an expungement order granted after June 30, 2019. (c) A person whose petition for expungement was granted before July 1, 2019, may file a petition for a supplemental order of expungement under section 9 of this chapter to obtain the benefit of changes in SEA 235-2019 as enacted in the 2019 session of the general assembly, if applicable. (d) A court may not order the bureau of motor vehicles to seal, restrict access to, or otherwise expunge a conviction (as defined in 49 CFR 383.5) under this chapter for a person: (1) who held a commercial drivers license or commercial learners permit under IC 9-24-6.1 at the time of the offense; and (2) whose conviction is for a violation described in 49 CFR 384.226. As added by P.L.219-2019, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.77-2025, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-1 Expunging arrest records

Sec. 1. (a) This section applies only to a person who has been arrested, charged with an offense, or alleged to be a delinquent child, if: (1) the arrest, criminal charge, or juvenile delinquency allegation: (A) did not result in a conviction or juvenile adjudication, even if the arrest, criminal charge, or juvenile delinquency allegation resulted in an adjudication for an infraction; or (B) resulted in a conviction or juvenile adjudication and the conviction or adjudication was expunged under sections 2 through 5 of this chapter, or was later vacated; and (2) the person is not currently participating in a pretrial diversion program, unless the prosecuting attorney authorizes the person to petition for an expungement under this section. (b) This subsection applies to a person charged with an offense or alleged to be a delinquent child after June 30, 2022. If: (1) a court dismisses all: (A) criminal charges; or (B) juvenile delinquency allegations; filed and pending against a person; (2) one (1) year has passed since juvenile delinquency allegations were filed against a child, and: (A) there is no disposition or order of waiver; and (B) the state is not actively prosecuting the allegations; or (3) in a: (A) criminal trial a defendant is acquitted of all charges, or the defendant's conviction is later vacated; or (B) juvenile proceeding the court finds all allegations not true, or the juvenile's true finding is later vacated; the court shall immediately order all records related to the criminal charges or juvenile delinquency allegations expunged. An expungement order that is issued based on nonprosecution under subdivision (2) goes into effect immediately. An expungement order issued under subdivision (1) or (3) may not go into effect earlier than sixty (60) days from the date of the dismissal, acquittal, or no true finding. However, upon motion by the prosecuting attorney, if the court finds that specific facts exist in the particular case which justify a delay, the court may delay implementation of an expungement order under subdivision (1) or (3) for up to one (1) year from the date of the dismissal, acquittal, or no true finding. (c) This subsection applies to a person arrested after June 30, 2022. If: (1) a person is arrested; (2) one (1) year has elapsed since the date of the arrest; and (3) no charges are pending against the person; the person may petition a judge exercising criminal jurisdiction in the county (or a designated judge, if applicable) for expungement, setting forth these facts. Upon receipt of the petition, the judge shall immediately order the expungement of all records related to the arrest. Expungement under this subsection does not shorten the statute of limitations. A prosecuting attorney may still file a charge under this subsection. (d) Not earlier than one (1) year after the date of arrest, criminal charge, or juvenile delinquency allegation (whichever is later), if the person was not convicted or adjudicated a delinquent child, or the opinion vacating the conviction or adjudication becomes final, the person may petition the court for expungement of the records related to the arrest, criminal charge, or juvenile delinquency allegation. However, a person may petition the court for expungement at an earlier time if the prosecuting attorney agrees in writing to an earlier time. (e) A petition for expungement of records must be verified and filed in a circuit or superior court in the county where the criminal charges or juvenile delinquency allegation was filed, or if no criminal charges or juvenile delinquency allegation was filed, in the county where the arrest occurred. The petition must set forth: (1) the date of the arrest, criminal charges, or juvenile delinquency allegation, and conviction (if applicable); (2) the county in which the arrest occurred, the county in which the information or indictment was filed, and the county in which the juvenile delinquency allegation was filed, if applicable; (3) the law enforcement agency employing the arresting officer, if known; (4) the court in which the criminal charges or juvenile delinquency allegation was filed, if applicable; (5) any other known identifying information, such as: (A) the name of the arresting officer; (B) case number or court cause number; (C) any aliases or other names used by the petitioner; (D) the petitioner's driver's license number; and (E) a list of each criminal charge and its disposition, if applicable; (6) the date of the petitioner's birth; and (7) the petitioner's Social Security number. A person who files a petition under this section is not required to pay a filing fee. (f) The court shall serve a copy of the petition on the prosecuting attorney. (g) Upon receipt of a petition for expungement, the court: (1) may summarily deny the petition if the petition does not meet the requirements of this section, or if the statements contained in the petition indicate that the petitioner is not entitled to relief; and (2) shall grant the petition unless: (A) the conditions described in subsection (a) have not been met; or (B) criminal charges are pending against the person. (h) Whenever the petition of a person under this section is granted, or if an expungement order is issued without a petition under subsection (b): (1) no information concerning the arrest, criminal charges, juvenile delinquency allegation, vacated conviction, or vacated juvenile delinquency adjudication (including information from a collateral action that identifies the petitioner), may be placed or retained in any state central repository for criminal history information or in any other alphabetically arranged criminal history information system maintained by a local, regional, or statewide law enforcement agency; (2) the clerk of the supreme court shall seal or redact any records in the clerk's possession that relate to the arrest, criminal charges, juvenile delinquency allegation, vacated conviction, or vacated juvenile delinquency adjudication; (3) the records of: (A) the sentencing court; (B) a court that conducted a collateral action; (C) a juvenile court; (D) a court of appeals; and (E) the supreme court; concerning the person shall be redacted or permanently sealed from public access; and (4) with respect to the records of a person who is named as an appellant or an appellee in an opinion or memorandum decision by the supreme court or the court of appeals, or who is identified in a collateral action, the court shall: (A) redact the opinion or memorandum decision as it appears on the computer gateway administered by the office of technology so that it does not include the petitioner's name (in the same manner that opinions involving juveniles are redacted); and (B) provide a redacted copy of the opinion to any publisher or organization to whom the opinion or memorandum decision is provided after the date of the order of expungement. The supreme court and the court of appeals are not required to redact, destroy, or otherwise dispose of any existing copy of an opinion or memorandum decision that includes the petitioner's name. (i) If the court issues an order granting a petition for expungement under this section, or issues an order for expungement without a petition under subsection (b), the order must include the information described in subsection (e). (j) If a person whose records are expunged brings an action that might be defended with the contents of the expunged records, the defendant is presumed to have a complete defense to the action. In order for the plaintiff to recover, the plaintiff must show that the contents of the expunged records would not exonerate the defendant. The plaintiff may be required to state under oath whether the plaintiff had records in the criminal or juvenile justice system and whether those records were expunged. If the plaintiff denies the existence of the records, the defendant may prove their existence in any manner compatible with the law of evidence. (k) Records expunged or sealed under this section must be removed or sealed in accordance with this section, but may not be deleted or destroyed. Records expunged or sealed under this section remain available to the court and criminal justice agencies as needed to carry out their official duties. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.7; P.L.142-2015, SEC.1; P.L.219-2019, SEC.7; P.L.14-2022, SEC.1; P.L.185-2023, SEC.5; P.L.9-2024, SEC.535.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-2 Expunging misdemeanor convictions

Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and section 8.5 of this chapter, this section applies only to a person convicted of a misdemeanor, including a Class D felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 6 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014) reduced to a misdemeanor. (b) This section does not apply to the following: (1) A person convicted of two (2) or more felony offenses that: (A) involved the unlawful use of a deadly weapon; and (B) were not committed as part of the same episode of criminal conduct. (2) A sex or violent offender (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5). (c) Not earlier than five (5) years after the date of conviction (unless the prosecuting attorney consents in writing to an earlier period) for the misdemeanor or the felony reduced to a misdemeanor pursuant to IC 35-38-1-1.5 or IC 35-50-2-7, the person convicted of the misdemeanor or the felony reduced to a misdemeanor may petition a court to expunge all conviction records, including records contained in: (1) a court's files; (2) the files of the department of correction; (3) the files of the bureau of motor vehicles; and (4) the files of any other person who provided treatment or services to the petitioning person under a court order; that relate to the person's misdemeanor conviction, including records of a collateral action. (d) A person who files a petition to expunge conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, shall file the petition in a circuit or superior court in the county of conviction. (e) If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the period required by this section has elapsed; (2) no charges are pending against the person; (3) the person has paid all fines, fees, and court costs, and satisfied any restitution obligation placed on the person as part of the sentence; and (4) the person has not been convicted of a crime within the previous five (5) years (or within a shorter period agreed to by the prosecuting attorney if the prosecuting attorney has consented to a shorter period under subsection (c)); the court shall order the conviction records described in subsection (c), including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, expunged in accordance with section 6 of this chapter. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.8; P.L.142-2015, SEC.2; P.L.95-2017, SEC.2; P.L.219-2019, SEC.8; P.L.55-2020, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-3 Expunging minor Class D and Level 6 felony convictions

Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and section 8.5 of this chapter, this section applies only to a person convicted of a Class D felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 6 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014). This section does not apply to a person if the person's Class D felony or Level 6 felony was reduced to a Class A misdemeanor. (b) This section does not apply to the following: (1) An elected official, or an elected or appointed judicial officer, convicted of an offense while serving the person's term or as a candidate for public office. (2) A sex or violent offender (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5). (3) A person convicted of a felony that resulted in bodily injury to another person. (4) A person convicted of perjury (IC 35-44.1-2-1) or official misconduct (IC 35-44.1-1-1). (5) A person convicted of an offense described in: (A) IC 35-42-1; (B) IC 35-42-3.5; or (C) IC 35-42-4. (6) A person convicted of two (2) or more felony offenses that: (A) involved the unlawful use of a deadly weapon; and (B) were not committed as part of the same episode of criminal conduct. (c) Not earlier than eight (8) years after the date of conviction (unless the prosecuting attorney consents in writing to an earlier period), the person convicted of the Class D felony or Level 6 felony may petition a court to expunge all conviction records, including records contained in: (1) a court's files; (2) the files of the department of correction; (3) the files of the bureau of motor vehicles; and (4) the files of any other person who provided treatment or services to the petitioning person under a court order; that relate to the person's Class D or Level 6 felony conviction, including records of a collateral action. (d) A person who files a petition to expunge conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, shall file the petition in a circuit or superior court in the county of conviction. (e) If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the period required by this section has elapsed; (2) no charges are pending against the person; (3) the person has paid all fines, fees, and court costs, and satisfied any restitution obligation placed on the person as part of the sentence; and (4) the person has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor within the previous eight (8) years (or within a shorter period agreed to by the prosecuting attorney if the prosecuting attorney has consented to a shorter period under subsection (c)); the court shall order the conviction records described in subsection (c), including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, expunged in accordance with section 6 of this chapter. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.9; P.L.142-2015, SEC.3; P.L.219-2019, SEC.9; P.L.52-2021, SEC.3; P.L.77-2025, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-4 Expunging certain less serious felony convictions

Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and section 8.5 of this chapter, this section applies only to a person convicted of a felony who may not seek expungement of that felony under section 3 of this chapter. (b) This section does not apply to the following: (1) An elected official, or an elected or appointed judicial officer, convicted of an offense while serving the person's term or as a candidate for public office. (2) A sex or violent offender (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5). (3) A person convicted of a felony that resulted in serious bodily injury to another person. (4) A person convicted of a felony that resulted in death to another person. (5) A person convicted of official misconduct (IC 35-44.1-1-1). (6) A person convicted of an offense described in: (A) IC 35-42-1, including attempted murder under IC 35-42-1-1; (B) IC 35-42-3.5, including an attempt to commit the offense; or (C) IC 35-42-4, including an attempt to commit the offense. (7) A person convicted of two (2) or more felony offenses that: (A) involved the unlawful use of a deadly weapon; and (B) were not committed as part of the same episode of criminal conduct. (8) A person convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (IC 35-47-4-5). (c) Not earlier than the later of eight (8) years from the date of conviction, or three (3) years from the completion of the person's sentence, unless the prosecuting attorney consents in writing to an earlier period, the person convicted of the felony may petition a court to expunge all conviction records, including records contained in: (1) a court's files; (2) the files of the department of correction; (3) the files of the bureau of motor vehicles; and (4) the files of any other person who provided treatment or services to the petitioning person under a court order; that relate to the person's felony conviction, including records of a collateral action. (d) A person who files a petition to expunge conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, shall file the petition in a circuit or superior court in the county of conviction. (e) If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the period required by this section has elapsed; (2) no charges are pending against the person; (3) the person has paid all fines, fees, and court costs, and satisfied any restitution obligation placed on the person as part of the sentence; and (4) the person has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor within the previous eight (8) years (or within a shorter period agreed to by the prosecuting attorney if the prosecuting attorney has consented to a shorter period under subsection (c)); the court may order the conviction records described in subsection (c), including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, marked as expunged in accordance with section 7 of this chapter. A person whose records have been ordered marked as expunged under this section is considered to have had the person's records expunged for all purposes other than the disposition of the records. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.10; P.L.142-2015, SEC.4; P.L.219-2019, SEC.10; P.L.52-2021, SEC.4; P.L.77-2025, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-5 Expunging certain serious felony convictions; consent of prosecutor required

Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and section 8.5 of this chapter, this section applies to a person convicted of a felony, including: (1) an elected official, or an elected or appointed judicial officer, convicted of an offense, other than official misconduct, while serving the person's term or as a candidate for public office; (2) a person convicted of a felony that resulted in serious bodily injury to another person; and (3) a person convicted of official misconduct, if the person is not an elected official or an elected or appointed judicial officer described in subsection (b)(2). (b) This section does not apply to the following: (1) A sex or violent offender (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5). (2) An elected official, or an elected or appointed judicial officer, convicted of official misconduct (IC 35-44.1-1-1) while serving the person's term or as a candidate for public office. (3) A person convicted of an offense described in: (A) IC 35-42-1, including attempted murder under IC 35-42-1-1; (B) IC 35-42-3.5, including an attempt to commit the offense; or (C) IC 35-42-4, including an attempt to commit the offense. (4) A person convicted of two (2) or more felony offenses that: (A) involved the unlawful use of a deadly weapon; and (B) were not committed as part of the same episode of criminal conduct. (5) A person convicted of a felony that resulted in death to another person. (6) A person convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (IC 35-47-4-5). (c) Not earlier than the later of ten (10) years from the date of conviction, or five (5) years from the completion of the person's sentence, unless the prosecuting attorney consents in writing to an earlier period, the person convicted of the felony may petition a court to expunge all conviction records, including records contained in: (1) a court's files; (2) the files of the department of correction; (3) the files of the bureau of motor vehicles; and (4) the files of any other person who provided treatment or services to the petitioning person under a court order; that relate to the person's felony conviction, including records of a collateral action. (d) A person who files a petition to expunge conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, shall file the petition in a circuit or superior court in the county of conviction. (e) If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) the period required by this section has elapsed; (2) no charges are pending against the person; (3) the person has paid all fines, fees, and court costs, and satisfied any restitution obligation placed on the person as part of the sentence; (4) the person has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor within the previous ten (10) years (or within a shorter period agreed to by the prosecuting attorney if the prosecuting attorney has consented to a shorter period under subsection (c)); and (5) the prosecuting attorney has consented in writing to the expungement of the person's criminal records; the court may order the conviction records described in subsection (c), including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, marked as expunged in accordance with section 7 of this chapter. A person whose records have been ordered marked as expunged under this section is considered to have had the person's records expunged for all purposes other than the disposition of the records. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.11; P.L.142-2015, SEC.5; P.L.219-2019, SEC.11; P.L.52-2021, SEC.5; P.L.77-2025, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-6 Effect of expunging misdemeanor and minor Class D and Level 6 felony convictions

Sec. 6. (a) If the court orders conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, expunged under sections 2 through 3 of this chapter, the court shall do the following with respect to the specific records expunged by the court: (1) Order: (A) the department of correction; (B) the bureau of motor vehicles; and (C) each: (i) law enforcement agency; and (ii) other person; who incarcerated, prosecuted, provided treatment for, or provided other services for the person under an order of the court; to prohibit the release of the person's records or information in the person's records to anyone without a court order, other than a law enforcement officer acting in the course of the officer's official duty. (2) Order the central repository for criminal history information maintained by the state police department to seal the person's expunged conviction records, including information related to: (A) an arrest or offense: (i) in which no conviction was entered; and (ii) that was committed as part of the same episode of criminal conduct as the case ordered expunged; and (B) any other references to any matters related to the case ordered expunged, including in a collateral action. This subdivision does not require the state police department to seal any record the state police department does not have legal authority to seal. (3) Records sealed under subdivision (2) may be disclosed only to: (A) a prosecuting attorney, if: (i) authorized by a court order; and (ii) needed to carry out the official duties of the prosecuting attorney; (B) a defense attorney, if: (i) authorized by a court order; and (ii) needed to carry out the professional duties of the defense attorney; (C) a probation department, if: (i) authorized by a court order; and (ii) necessary to prepare a presentence report; (D) the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security, if disclosure is required to comply with an agreement relating to the sharing of criminal history information; (E) the: (i) supreme court; (ii) members of the state board of law examiners; (iii) executive director of the state board of law examiners; and (iv) employees of the state board of law examiners, in accordance with rules adopted by the state board of law examiners; for the purpose of determining whether an applicant possesses the necessary good moral character for admission to the bar; (F) a person required to access expunged records to comply with the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (12 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) or regulations adopted under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act; (G) the bureau of motor vehicles, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and the Commercial Drivers License Information System (CDLIS), if disclosure is required to comply with federal law relating to reporting a conviction for a violation of a traffic control law; (H) a school (as defined in IC 22-4-2-37), for the purpose of determining whether to: (i) employ a person seeking employment, including volunteer employment, with the school; (ii) continue a person's employment, including volunteer employment at the school; or (iii) grant access or admission to the school to an applicant contractor or a contractor; if the person, contractor, or applicant contractor is likely to have contact with a student enrolled in the school, regardless of the age of the student; and (I) the state police department, if disclosure is required for the purpose of expunging or marking as expunged records in the central repository for criminal history information. (4) Notify the clerk of the supreme court to seal any records in the clerk's possession that relate to the conviction, including any records concerning a collateral action. A probation department may provide an unredacted version of a presentence report disclosed under subdivision (3)(C) to any person authorized by law to receive a presentence report. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), if a petition to expunge conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, is granted under sections 2 through 3 of this chapter, the records of: (1) the sentencing court; (2) a court that conducted a collateral action; (3) a juvenile court; (4) a court of appeals; and (5) the supreme court; concerning the person shall be permanently sealed. However, a petition for expungement granted under sections 2 through 3 of this chapter does not affect an existing or pending driver's license suspension. (c) If a petition to expunge conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, is granted under sections 2 through 3 of this chapter with respect to the records of a person who is named as an appellant or an appellee in an opinion or memorandum decision by the supreme court or the court of appeals, or who is identified in a collateral action, the court shall: (1) redact the opinion or memorandum decision as it appears on the computer gateway administered by the office of technology so that it does not include the petitioner's name (in the same manner that opinions involving juveniles are redacted); and (2) provide a redacted copy of the opinion to any publisher or organization to whom the opinion or memorandum decision is provided after the date of the order of expungement. The supreme court and court of appeals are not required to destroy or otherwise dispose of any existing copy of an opinion or memorandum decision that includes the petitioner's name. (d) Notwithstanding subsection (b), a prosecuting attorney may submit a written application to a court that granted an expungement petition under this chapter to gain access to any records that were permanently sealed under subsection (b), if the records are relevant in a new prosecution of the person. If a prosecuting attorney who submits a written application under this subsection shows that the records are relevant for a new prosecution of the person, the court that granted the expungement petition shall: (1) order the records to be unsealed; and (2) allow the prosecuting attorney who submitted the written application to have access to the records. If a court orders records to be unsealed under this subsection, the court shall order the records to be permanently resealed at the earliest possible time after the reasons for unsealing the records cease to exist. However, if the records are admitted as evidence against the person in a new prosecution that results in the person's conviction, or are used to enhance a sentence imposed on the person in a new prosecution, the court is not required to reseal the records. (e) If a person whose conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, are expunged under sections 2 through 5 of this chapter is required to register as a sex offender based on the commission of a felony which has been expunged: (1) the expungement does not affect the operation of the sex offender registry website, any person's ability to access the person's records, records required to be maintained concerning sex or violent offenders, or any registration requirement imposed on the person; and (2) the expunged conviction records must be clearly marked as expunged on the sex offender registry website. (f) Expungement of a crime of domestic violence under section 2 of this chapter does not restore a person's right to possess a firearm. The right of a person convicted of a crime of domestic violence to possess a firearm may be restored only in accordance with IC 35-47-4-7. (g) If a court issues an order granting a petition for expungement under sections 2 through 3 of this chapter, the court shall also order any related records described in section 1(h) of this chapter sealed or redacted in the manner described in section 1 of this chapter, unless the records described in section 1(h) of this chapter have been ordered sealed and redacted under this section. (h) If the court issues an order granting a petition for expungement under sections 2 through 3 of this chapter, the court shall include in its order the information described in section 8(b) of this chapter. (i) If the court issues an order granting a petition for expungement under sections 2 through 5 of this chapter, the court shall include in its order the information described in section 10(c) of this chapter. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.12; P.L.142-2015, SEC.6; P.L.198-2016, SEC.671; P.L.219-2019, SEC.12; P.L.14-2022, SEC.2; P.L.185-2023, SEC.6; P.L.77-2025, SEC.15.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-7 Effect of expunging serious and less serious felony convictions

Sec. 7. (a) This section applies only to a person who has filed a petition for expungement under section 4 or 5 of this chapter and whose records have been ordered marked as expunged. (b) The court records and other public records relating to the arrest, conviction, or sentence of a person whose conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, have been marked as expunged remain public records. However, the court shall order that the records be clearly and visibly marked or identified as being expunged. A petition for expungement granted under sections 4 through 5 of this chapter does not affect an existing or pending driver's license suspension. (c) The state police department, the bureau of motor vehicles, and any other law enforcement agency in possession of records that relate to the conviction, including any records concerning a collateral action, ordered to be marked as expunged shall add an entry to the person's record of arrest, conviction, or sentence in the criminal history data base stating that the record is marked as expunged. Nothing in this chapter prevents the bureau of motor vehicles from reporting information about a conviction for a violation of a traffic control law to the Commercial Drivers License Information System (CDLIS), in accordance with federal law, even if the conviction has been expunged under section 4 or 5 of this chapter. (d) If the court issues an order granting a petition for expungement under section 4 or 5 of this chapter, the court shall include in its order the information described in section 8(b) of this chapter. (e) If a court issues an order granting a petition for expungement under sections 4 through 5 of this chapter, the court shall also order any related records described in section 1(h) of this chapter marked as expunged, unless the records described in section 1(h) of this chapter have been ordered marked as expunged under this section. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.13; P.L.142-2015, SEC.7; P.L.198-2016, SEC.672; P.L.219-2019, SEC.13; P.L.14-2022, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-8 Petition to expunge conviction records

Sec. 8. (a) This section applies only to a petition to expunge conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, under sections 2 through 5 of this chapter. This section does not apply to a petition to expunge records related to the arrest, criminal charge, or juvenile delinquency allegation under section 1 of this chapter. (b) Any person may seek an expungement under sections 2 through 5 of this chapter by filing a verified petition for expungement. The petition must include the following: (1) The petitioner's full name and all other legal names or aliases by which the petitioner is or has been known. (2) The petitioner's date of birth. (3) The petitioner's addresses from the date of the offense to the date of the petition. (4) The case number or court cause number, if available. (5) The petitioner shall affirm that no criminal investigation or charges are pending against the petitioner. (6) The petitioner shall affirm that the petitioner has not committed another felony or misdemeanor within the period required for expungement. (7) The petitioner shall list all convictions, all collateral actions, the cause number of each conviction, if known, the date of the conviction, and any appeals from the conviction and the date any appellate opinion was handed down, if applicable. (8) The petitioner shall include: (A) the petitioner's Social Security number; (B) the petitioner's driver's license number; (C) the date of the petitioner's arrest, if applicable; and (D) the date on which the petitioner was convicted. (9) The petitioner shall affirm that the required period has elapsed or attach a copy of the prosecuting attorney's written consent to a shorter period. (10) The petitioner shall describe any other petitions that the petitioner has filed under this chapter. (11) For a petition filed under section 5 of this chapter, the petitioner shall attach a copy of the prosecuting attorney's written consent. (c) The petitioner may include any other information that the petitioner believes may assist the court. (d) A person who files a petition under this section is required to pay the filing fee required in civil cases. The court may reduce or waive this fee if the person is indigent. (e) The petitioner shall serve a copy of the petition upon the prosecuting attorney in accordance with the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure. (f) The prosecuting attorney shall inform the victim of the victim's rights under IC 35-40-6 by contacting the victim at the victim's last known address. However, if a court has no discretion in granting an expungement petition under this chapter, the prosecuting attorney is not required to inform the victim of the victim's rights under this subsection. (g) The prosecuting attorney shall reply to the petition not later than thirty (30) days after receipt. If the prosecuting attorney fails to timely reply to the petition: (1) the prosecuting attorney has waived any objection to the petition; and (2) the court shall proceed to consider the petition under section 9 of this chapter. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.14; P.L.142-2015, SEC.8; P.L.219-2019, SEC.14; P.L.52-2021, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-8.5 Expungement of certain offenses punishable by an indeterminate sentence

Sec. 8.5. (a) This section applies only to a person seeking to expunge an Indiana offense punishable by an indeterminate sentence under a law other than IC 35-50. (b) If the offense for which the person was convicted is a misdemeanor at the time the person files the petition for expungement, the person may file the petition for expungement under section 2 of this chapter. (c) If the offense for which the person was convicted: (1) is a Level 6 felony at the time the person files the petition for expungement; and (2) is not substantially similar to an offense described in section 3(b) of this chapter; the person may file the petition under section 3 of this chapter. (d) If: (1) the person to whom this chapter applies may not seek expungement under section 3 of this chapter; and (2) the offense the person seeks to expunge is not substantially similar to an offense described in section 4(b) of this chapter; the person may file the petition under section 4 of this chapter. (e) If the offense for which the person was convicted: (1) is a felony at the time of filing the petition, including a felony described in section 5(a) of this chapter; and (2) is not substantially similar to an offense described in section 5(b) of this chapter; the person may file the petition under section 5 of this chapter. As added by P.L.142-2015, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-9 Duties of court in ruling on expungement petitions

Sec. 9. (a) If the prosecuting attorney does not object, or has waived objection to the petition under section 8 of this chapter, the court may grant the petition for expungement without a hearing. (b) The court may summarily deny a petition, if the petition does not meet the requirements of section 8 of this chapter, or if the statements contained in the petition demonstrate that the petitioner is not entitled to relief. (c) If the prosecuting attorney objects to the petition, the prosecuting attorney shall file the reasons for objecting to the petition with the court and serve a copy of the objections on the petitioner at the time the prosecuting attorney objects to the petition. The court shall set the matter for hearing not sooner than sixty (60) days after service of the petition on the prosecuting attorney. (d) A victim of the offense for which expungement is sought may submit an oral or written statement in support of or in opposition to the petition at the time of the hearing. The petitioner must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts alleged in the verified petition are true. (e) The grant or denial of a petition is an appealable final order. (f) If the court grants the petition for expungement, the court shall issue an order of expungement as described in sections 6 and 7 of this chapter. (g) The order granting the petition for expungement described in sections 6 and 7 of this chapter must include the information described in section 8(b) of this chapter. (h) This subsection applies only to a petition to expunge conviction records filed under sections 2 through 5 of this chapter. This subsection does not apply to a petition to expunge records related to the arrest, criminal charge, or juvenile delinquency allegation under section 1 of this chapter. A petitioner may seek to expunge more than one (1) conviction at the same time. The petitioner shall consolidate all convictions that the petitioner wishes to expunge from the same county in one (1) petition. A petitioner who wishes to expunge convictions from separate counties must file a petition in each county in which a conviction was entered. (i) This subsection applies only to a petition to expunge conviction records filed under sections 2 through 5 of this chapter. This subsection does not apply to a petition to expunge records related to the arrest, criminal charge, or juvenile delinquency allegation under section 1 of this chapter. Except as provided in subsections (j) and (k), a petitioner may file a petition for expungement only one (1) time during the petitioner's lifetime. For purposes of this subsection, all petitions for expungement filed in separate counties for offenses committed in those counties count as one (1) petition if they are filed in one (1) three hundred sixty-five (365) day period. (j) A petitioner whose petition for expungement has been denied, in whole or in part, may refile that petition for expungement, in whole or in part, with respect to one (1) or more convictions included in the initial expungement petition that were not expunged. However, if the petition was denied due to the court's exercise of its discretion under section 4 or 5 of this chapter, a petition for expungement may be refiled only after the elapse of three (3) years from the date on which the previous expungement petition was denied. Except as provided in subsection (k), a refiled petition for expungement may not include any conviction that was not included in the initial expungement petition. (k) A court may permit a petitioner to file a supplemental petition for expungement at any time with respect to one (1) or more convictions that were not included in the initial expungement petition only if the court finds that: (1) the petitioner intended in good faith to comply with subsections (h) and (i); (2) the petitioner's failure to comply with subsections (h) and (i) was due to: (A) excusable neglect; or (B) circumstances beyond the petitioner's control; and (3) permitting the petitioner to file a subsequent petition for expungement is in the best interests of justice. (l) If: (1) the information required to be expunged, marked as expunged, or otherwise sealed or restricted under this chapter changes as the result of an amendment to this chapter; and (2) a person whose petition for expungement was granted before the effective date of the amendment wishes to obtain the benefits of that amendment; the person may file a petition for a supplemental order of expungement with the court that granted the petition for expungement. A petition for a supplemental order of expungement must include a copy of the expungement order, succinctly set forth the relief the petitioner seeks, and include any other information required by the court. If the court finds that the person was granted an order for expungement before the effective date of the amendment and is otherwise entitled to relief, the court shall issue a supplemental order for expungement consistent with the amendment. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.15; P.L.142-2015, SEC.10; P.L.219-2019, SEC.15; P.L.77-2025, SEC.16.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-9.5 Collateral action in a different county

Sec. 9.5. (a) This section applies to a collateral action adjudicated or conducted in a county other than the county in which a court granted an expungement. (b) Upon receipt of a request to expunge records related to a collateral action and a properly certified expungement order, a circuit or superior court in the county in which the collateral action occurred shall: (1) notify the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the court is located of the request to expunge records related to a collateral action and set the matter for hearing; or (2) if it conclusively appears from the court's records that the person is entitled to expungement as described in subsection (c), order the records expunged without a hearing. (c) The circuit or superior court in the county in which the collateral action was adjudicated or conducted shall order records of the collateral action expunged (for an expungement granted under sections 1 through 3 of this chapter) or marked as expunged (for an expungement granted under sections 4 through 5 of this chapter), unless the court finds that the collateral action does not relate to the expunged arrest or conviction. (d) A request to expunge records of a collateral action may be made at any time after the original expungement order is issued. (e) A request to expunge records shall be filed under the cause number of the collateral action, if applicable. A person who requests expungement of records of a collateral action under this section is not required to pay a filing fee, even if the request is filed under a new cause of action. As added by P.L.55-2020, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-10 Unlawful discrimination against a person whose record has been expunged; exceptions

Sec. 10. (a) This section does not apply to a person to whom sealed records may be disclosed under section 6(a)(3) of this chapter. With respect to a person seeking employment with a law enforcement agency or a probation or community corrections department, including volunteer employment, subsections (b), (d), (e), and (f) do not apply to the law enforcement agency or the probation or community corrections department. (b) It is unlawful discrimination for any person to: (1) suspend; (2) expel; (3) refuse to employ; (4) refuse to admit; (5) refuse to grant or renew a license, permit, or certificate necessary to engage in any activity, occupation, or profession; or (6) otherwise discriminate against; any person because of a conviction or arrest record expunged or sealed under this chapter. (c) Except as provided in section 6(f) of this chapter, the civil rights of a person whose conviction has been expunged shall be fully restored, including the right to vote, to hold public office, to be a proper person under IC 35-47-1-7(2), and to serve as a juror. (d) In any application for employment, a license, or other right or privilege, a person may be questioned about a previous criminal record only in terms that exclude expunged convictions or arrests, such as: "Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime that has not been expunged by a court?". (e) A person whose record is expunged shall be treated as if the person had never been convicted of the offense. However, upon a subsequent arrest or conviction for an unrelated offense, the prior expunged conviction: (1) may be considered by the court in determining the sentence imposed for the new offense; (2) is a prior unrelated conviction for purposes of: (A) a habitual offender enhancement; and (B) enhancing the new offense based on a prior conviction; and (3) may be admitted as evidence in the proceeding for a new offense as if the conviction had not been expunged. (f) Any person that discriminates against a person as described in subsection (b) commits a Class C infraction and may be held in contempt by the court issuing the order of expungement or by any other court of general jurisdiction. Any person may file a written motion of contempt to bring an alleged violation of this section to the attention of a court. In addition, the person is entitled to injunctive relief. (g) In any judicial or administrative proceeding alleging negligence or other fault, an order of expungement may be introduced as evidence of the person's exercise of due care in hiring, retaining, licensing, certifying, admitting to a school or program, or otherwise transacting business or engaging in activity with the person to whom the order of expungement was issued. (h) A conviction, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, that has been expunged under this chapter is not admissible as evidence in an action for negligent hiring, admission, or licensure against a person or entity who relied on the order. (i) An expungement case, and all documents filed in the case, becomes confidential when the court issues an expungement order. However, until the court issues an expungement order, documents filed in the case are not confidential, and any hearing held in the case shall be open. As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.16; P.L.142-2015, SEC.11; P.L.219-2019, SEC.16; P.L.55-2020, SEC.11; P.L.14-2022, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-11 Waiver of expungement in a plea agreement invalid

Sec. 11. (a) A person may not waive the right to expungement under this chapter as part of a plea agreement. Any purported waiver of the right to expungement in a plea agreement is invalid and unenforceable as against public policy. (b) This section does not prohibit the finding of a waiver of the right to expungement based on a failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter. As added by P.L.181-2014, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 35-38-9-12 Penalties for disclosing an expunged conviction

Sec. 12. A criminal history provider (as defined in IC 24-4-18-2) that provides a criminal history report containing an expunged conviction is subject to the penalties described in IC 24-4-18-8. As added by P.L.52-2021, SEC.7.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/35Fetched: 10/17/2026