How to Handle Expungement If You Have Cases in Multiple Counties in Indiana
Introduction: One Clean Record—Multiple Counties to Clear
If you’ve had brushes with the law in more than one Indiana county, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Indiana’s Second Chance Law makes it possible to clear your record, but handling multiple expungements across different counties requires careful strategy.
This blog explains how to expunge your record when charges or convictions are spread across multiple counties, what the law requires, and how to streamline the process.
Understanding Indiana’s One-Time Expungement Rule
Indiana Code § 35-38-9 is clear: You only get one chance to expunge your record.
✅ That means all eligible cases must be included in one coordinated expungement effort, even if they occurred in different counties.
🚫 Filing in one county and forgetting others could disqualify you from future expungement petitions.
What This Means for You:
You must identify every case you want to expunge.
You must file a separate petition in each county, but they must all be filed within one year of the first petition.
Coordination is critical to avoid missing your window.
Step-by-Step: Expunging Records in Multiple Indiana Counties
Step 1: Identify All Your Eligible Cases
Before you file anything, gather your complete criminal history.
Use Indiana’s mycase.in.gov to search your name across counties.
Request a full background check from the Indiana State Police.
Look for:
Arrests without convictions
Misdemeanor convictions (5+ years old)
Level 6 felony convictions (8+ years old)
Dismissed charges or acquittals
📌 Not all convictions are eligible for expungement—such as sex offenses, official misconduct, or certain violent felonies.
Step 2: Determine Which County Handles Which Case
You must file a petition in the county where each case originated.
For example:
A DUI from Marion County? File in Marion.
A theft case from Hamilton County? File in Hamilton.
You cannot file everything in one court. Each county will have its own court hearing, filing fee, and judge.
Step 3: Decide the Order You Want to File
The timing of your first petition starts the clock for all the others.
⏱️ Indiana law gives you ONE YEAR from the date of your first expungement petition to file petitions in all other counties.
This means:
If you file in Marion County on May 1, 2025…
You must file any other counties by May 1, 2026.
👉 Best practice: Prepare all filings at once, and submit them within a few days of each other.
Step 4: Customize Each Petition by County
Even though you’re coordinating your filings, each petition must follow that county’s local rules.
Tips:
Review each court’s expungement forms or filing instructions.
Some counties require an appearance or hearing; others may waive it.
💡 An attorney can handle all filings and coordinate county-specific rules to keep things moving smoothly.
Step 5: Track All Responses and Hearings
Each petition will proceed independently within its county.
One court may approve the petition quickly
Another may schedule a hearing or request more documents
Track your deadlines, orders, and follow-up items in each location
🗂️ Keep records of:
Case numbers
Filed dates
Orders received
Fees paid
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I include multiple cases in one petition?
Only if all the cases are in the same county. Otherwise, you must file separate petitions in each county.
Can I file in all counties at once?
Yes—and this is highly recommended. It ensures you meet the one-year rule and keeps your expungement process organized.
What happens if I forget a case or county?
You may lose your only opportunity to expunge that case. Indiana’s one-time expungement rule is strict—you can’t go back later and “add” a case.
Conclusion: One Shot—Get It Right the First Time
Handling expungement across multiple counties in Indiana is possible—but requires planning, timing, and attention to detail. By preparing all your petitions carefully and filing within one year of your first case, you can seal your record and move forward with a clean slate.
🎯 Take the guesswork out of multi-county expungements. Contact Vining Legal LLC at (317) 759-3225 or schedule a consultation today.
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