Can a Felony Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor in Indiana?
After a criminal conviction, especially for a felony, it can feel like your past is always following you. Background checks, job applications, and even personal relationships are affected by that criminal record. However, Indiana offers a potential solution through its second chance law, passed in 2012. This law allows eligible individuals with a Class D felony conviction to petition the court for a reduction to a Class A misdemeanor. If successful, this reduction can significantly improve your life, as you can legally answer “no” when asked about previous criminal convictions. A criminal defense lawyer in Indiana can help assess your eligibility and guide you through the process of obtaining a second chance.
Benefits of Felony Record Reduction
The reduction of a felony to a misdemeanor comes with numerous benefits. It offers a fresh start in various aspects of your life:
- Employment Opportunities: A clean record enhances your chances of securing a job, especially in fields that require background checks.
- Educational and Licensing Opportunities: Many professional licenses are only available to individuals with clean records, and a felony-free status opens up educational and licensing opportunities.
- Gun Ownership: You may regain the right to own firearms, something that a felony conviction could have previously prohibited.
- Access to Social Services and Housing: Felony convictions often bar access to government services and public housing. Once your felony is reduced or expunged, those restrictions are lifted.
Clearing your criminal record paves the way for a brighter future, not just for you, but for your family as well. A criminal defense attorney in Indiana can guide you through the process of reducing or expunging your criminal record.
Felony to Misdemeanor Conversion Requirements
While the second chance law provides hope, there are eligibility requirements that must be met:
- Class D Felony: Only Class D felonies are eligible for reduction. Prior to 2014, Class D felonies were considered lower-level offenses.
- No Bodily Injury: Your felony conviction cannot involve bodily injury.
- No Violent Crime Convictions: You cannot be a registered sex offender or have a conviction related to violent crimes.
- No Felony Convictions After Completion: You cannot have committed any other felonies after completing your sentence.
- Three-Year Waiting Period: You must wait three years after completing your sentence before petitioning for a reduction.
- No Pending Criminal Charges: If you have any ongoing criminal cases, you cannot apply for the reduction.
If you meet the qualifications, a Carmel, Indiana attorney can help you file the necessary paperwork and initiate the petition process to reduce your felony to a misdemeanor.
Get a Fresh Start
Don’t let a past mistake define your future. If you’ve been living without trouble for years, you deserve the chance to move forward without the burden of a felony conviction. A criminal defense lawyer in Indiana can explain how you can regain your rights and get a fresh start.
Contact Webster & Garino today to learn how we can help you clear your criminal record and improve your future opportunities.
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