Indiana's new expungement law provides a second chance to people whose criminal record has affected them long after completing their sentence. While several benefits of expungement are obvious, a criminal record can affect many areas of a person’s life. Whether your case is in Lafayette or Fort Wayne, our expungement lawyers can help you clear your record. Here are ten reasons to contact an expungement attorney now:
1. Employment: A 2012 study found that 87% of employers conduct criminal background checks on all or some of their job applicants.
2. Stigma: Many people report feeling like a weight has been lifted after expunging their criminal record. With court records so easily accessible online, the social stigma that comes with being a felon or having a criminal record will follow you until the public can no longer access those records.
3. Education: 66% of colleges collect criminal justice information on their applicants, according to a 2010 study.
4. Housing: A criminal record can affect your eligibility for both public and even private housing. Some landlords conduct criminal background checks as part of the application process for new tenants.
5. Loans: Some convictions, particularly those that are drug-related, will limit your eligibility for financial aid.
6. Licensing: In Indiana, there are 48 occupational licenses that require a criminal background check as part of the application process, including a real estate appraiser, social worker, pharmacy technician, and dental hygienist.
7. Firearm Rights: Expunging a felony conviction will restore your eligibility to own a firearm under Indiana law, unless the conviction was for domestic violence.
8. Federal Assistance: Any person convicted of a drug charge is not eligible for the SNAP program in Indiana (formerly known as “food stamps”).
9. Adoption: All former convictions will be considered when the social worker determines you and/or your significant other’s eligibility to adopt.
10. Volunteering: Many organizations that serve the elderly or children will not allow volunteers who have a criminal record.
