Indiana courts opened 10,156 expungement cases in 2025, up 52% from the 6,660 cases filed in 2016, according to state court data obtained by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. The increase reflects a growing awareness that sealing old arrests and convictions can open doors to better jobs, housing, and community involvement.
Legal hurdles persist
Despite the rise in filings, advocates warn that cost and timing remain major obstacles. Carrie Hagan, director of the Civil Practice Clinic at Indiana University’s McKinney School of Law, explained that many prospective clients must wait years before they become eligible. “People owe hundreds to thousands of dollars — and that’s one of the biggest hurdles for a lot of our clients seeking expungements,” Hagan said. “Time is a really close second. We have folks that hear, ‘Well, you’re not eligible until 2031,’ and then for them, it’s like, ‘Well, what’s the point?’”
The clinic, which has assisted clients for nearly a decade, partners with Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana to reach residents who might benefit from a clean record. Hagan noted that clients often seek expungement to improve employment prospects, secure stable housing, or simply move past a mistake.
County outreach helps demystify the process
In Lake County, attorney Amanda Hires and County Clerk Michael Brown have organized expungement fairs and provided one‑on‑one assistance. “Bringing help directly into the community can make the process less intimidating,” Hires said. “I think people become more familiar with the government and not so nervous that way, and that really helps with this expungement process.”
Lake County filings rose from 232 in 2016 to 516 in 2025, a trend mirrored in Marion County, where clerk Kate Sweeney Bell promoted the program through social media and partnerships with legal aid groups. Bell emphasized that while expungement is not guaranteed, it is not something to fear and can profoundly alter an individual’s life.
Outcomes and timelines
Data from the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration show that of the 27,202 expungement cases disposed of statewide since Jan. 1, 2024, 25,408 were granted, 288 denied, and 1,506 had no recorded outcome. The average time from filing to disposition was 141 days.
However, the process can be complicated when a person has records in multiple counties or faces convictions that require judicial discretion. Hagan’s clinic prepares separate filings for each county and, in discretionary cases, asks clients to explain how their lives have changed and what an expungement would enable.
Limitations of expungement
Even when granted, an expungement does not always erase a case from public view. Indiana law typically seals qualifying arrests and lower‑level convictions, but more serious felonies remain publicly accessible with an “expunged” notation. Hagan argued, “If we’re going to expunge it, then let’s just expunge it. Let’s then move on.” Hires echoed this concern, noting that some employers can still see a conviction marked as expunged, calling the term a misnomer.
Additionally, court orders do not automatically update every criminal‑history database, and external agencies may take up to six months to reflect the change. “Sure, you can expunge it legally through the courts, but unfortunately, Google’s there forever,” Hires said.
Recent legislative changes
Lawmakers amended Indiana’s expungement statutes in 2025, but the revisions did not retroactively open the process to individuals whose cases were filed before the changes. The waiting periods remain five years for misdemeanors and eight to ten years for eligible felonies, depending on the offense.
Overall, the surge in filings suggests that more Hoosiers recognize the value of a clean record, even as they navigate financial costs, waiting periods, and the lingering visibility of certain convictions. Continued community outreach and streamlined court procedures could further reduce barriers and help more residents fully benefit from the state’s expungement law.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
