Free Expungement Help in Indiana

Reviewed: May 28, 2026

Indiana's 365-day window rule is one of the most important things to understand before filing: once you petition for expungement of any conviction in any Indiana county, you have 365 days to file in every other county with an eligible conviction. Miss the window, and those other convictions are permanently locked out — you can never expunge them. This is why almost everyone in Indiana files with an attorney even for a simple single-charge case. Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic in Indianapolis runs a strong pro bono expungement program and understands the 365-day rule deeply.

At a glance

✓ CRITICAL: Indiana's 365-day window — once you file in any county, you have 365 days to file everywhere else
✓ Run a statewide criminal record search BEFORE filing to identify all eligible convictions
✓ Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic (nclegalclinic.org) in Indianapolis — best free expungement resource
✓ $156 per-county filing fee, waivable by hardship petition for income-qualifying petitioners
✓ Indiana Legal Services (indianalegalservices.org) has offices statewide for free help

Important: This page provides general legal information about expungement and record sealing laws. It is not legal advice for your specific situation. Eligibility rules vary by state, county, and individual circumstances. Always consult a licensed attorney before taking any legal action.

The 365-day window — critical Indiana rule

Indiana's Second Chance Law (IC 35-38-9) has a unique provision: once you petition for expungement in any Indiana county, you have 365 days to file in every other Indiana county where you have eligible convictions. After 365 days, those other convictions are permanently locked out — you cannot expunge them ever. This is a one-time lifetime opportunity for felony expungements. Before filing anything, run a statewide criminal record search to identify all eligible convictions in all Indiana counties. Indiana Legal Services and the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic specifically understand this rule and can coordinate multi-county filings.

Free legal aid in Indiana

Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic (nclegalclinic.org) in Indianapolis runs the strongest free expungement program in Indiana — they handle the 365-day window rule and coordinate multi-county filings. Indiana Legal Services (indianalegalservices.org) has offices statewide and provides free representation for income-qualifying clients. The Volunteer Lawyer Program of NE Indiana (vlpnein.org) covers Fort Wayne and Allen County. Legal Aid Society of Evansville (lawev.com) covers southwestern Indiana. Indiana University McKinney School of Law's clinical program handles complex cases under attorney supervision.

Filing fees and the petition process

Indiana charges a $156 per-county filing fee for expungement petitions. For income-qualifying petitioners, this fee can be waived by filing a hardship petition with the court. Most legal aid organizations that run free clinics partner with local prosecutors to streamline the process. After filing, the prosecutor has 30 days to object. Most uncontested petitions are resolved within 90 days of filing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 365-day window in Indiana expungement?

Under IC 35-38-9, once you petition for expungement in any Indiana county, you have 365 days to file in every other Indiana county where you have eligible convictions. After 365 days, you cannot expunge those other convictions — ever. This rule makes it critical to identify all eligible convictions across all Indiana counties before filing the first petition.

Can a felony be expunged in Indiana?

Yes — Indiana has expungement for misdemeanors, Level 6 felonies, and higher felonies with different waiting periods. Level 6 and most non-violent felonies are eligible after 8 years from conviction. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and official misconduct convictions have more restrictions. A legal aid intake call will identify which track applies.

Does Indiana have automatic record clearing?

Indiana does not have a Clean Slate automatic-sealing law. Expungement is entirely petition-based under the Second Chance Law (IC 35-38-9). Given the 365-day window rule, professional legal help is strongly recommended even for simple single-county cases.

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