Under an Indiana law that became effective on July 1, 2012, a person with a Class D felony conviction may petition the sentencing court to reduce the conviction to a Class A misdemeanor. People who have been denied jobs and other opportunities due to a Class D felony conviction now have an opportunity for relief.

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A new Indiana law provides that certain 8 year-old Class D felony convictions can be sealed from public view. In a competitive job market, a criminal background check that reveals a felony conviction for theft or receiving stolen property can eliminate opportunity. However, a new Indiana law became effective on July 1, 2011 that would allow theft, receiving stolen property, and other nonviolent Class D felony conviction records to be sealed and removed from public view.
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A Court of Appeals decision decided on August 6, 2010 has limited the ability of trial courts to reduce Class D felony convictions to Class A misdemeanors. In a case of first impression, the Indiana Court of Appeals has held that a trial court may only reduce a Class D felony, to a Class A misdemeanor, at the time of the original sentencing hearing; or, by the entry of a conditional Class D felony, whereby the Class D felony will automatically be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor within three years, provided the Defendant completes certain terms of probation.
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