Misdemeanor Treatment Can Expedite Expungement for Class D Felony Convictions

A Class D felony can be expunged eight years after the conviction date under Indiana’s expungement law. However, if the Class D felony conviction is reduced to a Class A misdemeanor, the conviction can be expunged five years after the conviction date.  Expunging a conviction three years earlier can be of significant benefit, including helping a person obtain employment and earn increased wages.

Class D felony Convictions Can be Reduced to a Class A Misdemeanor

Under Indiana law, a Class D felony conviction can be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor multiple ways:

1.  A judge can enter misdemeanor treatment at the time of sentencing;
2.  A conditional Plea Agreement can provide for misdemeanor treatment at the end of a period of probation; or
3.  A person can file a petition for reduction to a misdemeanor three years after completing his or her sentence.

Eligibility for misdemeanor treatment is also contingent upon other criteria, including criminal history and that the Class D felony did not result in injury to a person. Convictions for Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Operating a Vehicle While Being a Habitual Traffic Violator (HTV), and felony Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) are all Class D felony offenses that are eligible for misdemeanor treatment.

Reducing a Class D felony to a Class A misdemeanor reduces the waiting period for expungement from eight years to five years. That can represent three years of lost wages, lost opportunities, and social stigma that could be avoided. 

Lafayette and Fort Wayne Expungement Attorneys: Experience Matters

There are many attorneys who advertise expunging records. However, there are not many who have restricted access to, sealed, and expunged criminal records all over the State of Indiana. Gibson Law Office expungement attorneys have sealed criminal records in all regions of Indiana. We have the experience to identify your fastest path to expungement. Don’t settle for an attorney trying to learn the new expungement law. There is a lot of strategy and detail involved in clearing your criminal records. Experience matters. call Gibson Law Office today for a free consultation. With offices in Lafayette and Fort Wayne, our expungement attorneys can help you get a fresh start anywhere in Indiana.