Expunging Dismissed Charges in Indiana: Your Questions Answered

Dismissed charges can weigh heavily on your mind, even though they don't result in a conviction. Fortunately, Indiana allows for automatic expungement of dismissed charges, and you can petition the court to have them removed from your record sooner. Easy Expunctions is here to answer your most common questions about this process:

How do I know if my charge was dismissed?

A dismissed charge is one that the prosecutor dropped without seeking a conviction. This means the court never found you guilty or innocent of the crime. It's important to remember that a charge is simply an accusation, not a conviction.

Can I still get my dismissed charge expunged?

Absolutely! Dismissed charges are among the easiest to expunge in Indiana. Here's the breakdown:

• Charges dismissed before July 1, 2022: You must wait one year from the date of your arrest to petition for expungement.
• Charges dismissed after July 1, 2022: You can petition for expungement immediately.
• There's no limit to how many times you can expunge dismissed charges; the "once-in-a-lifetime" expungement rule doesn't apply to them.

Will dismissed charges affect my waiting period for expunging other charges?

No. Dismissed charges are distinct from convictions and won't "reset" your waiting period for expunging other offenses.

Can I expunge both a dismissed charge and a conviction?

Yes. You can expunge dismissed charges whenever they become eligible, while convictions can only be expunged once in your lifetime.

Example:

Megan:

1. Misdemeanor in 2020
2. Dismissed charge in 2023
3. Felony in 2022

Megan can:

1. Expunge the dismissed charge immediately (no lifetime limit).
2. Wait until 2030 to expunge both the misdemeanor and felony (five years from the most recent conviction + eight years from the most recent conviction). This maximizes her one-time expungement for convictions.

The Easy Expunctions team is here to help you navigate the legal intricacies of expungement so that you understand your situation and effectively guide you through the process. 

Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you clear your record and move forward with a brighter future. Visit EasyExpunctions.com or call (866) 775-9983 to learn more!