1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and section 8.5 of this chapter, this section applies only to a person convicted of a misdemeanor, including a Class D felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 6 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014) reduced to a misdemeanor.

2. (b) This section does not apply to the following:

   1. (1) A person convicted of two (2) or more felony offenses that:

      1. (A) involved the unlawful use of a deadly weapon; and
      2. (B) were not committed as part of the same episode of criminal conduct.
   2. (2) A sex or violent offender (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5 ).

3. (c) Not earlier than five (5) years after the date of conviction (unless the prosecuting attorney consents in writing to an earlier period), the person convicted of the misdemeanor may petition a court to expunge all conviction records, including records contained in:

   1. (1) a court's files;
   2. (2) the files of the department of correction;
   3. (3) the files of the bureau of motor vehicles; and

   4. (4) the files of any other person who provided treatment or services to the petitioning person under a court order;

      that relate to the person's misdemeanor conviction, including records of a collateral action.

4. (d) A person who files a petition to expunge conviction records, including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, shall file the petition in a circuit or superior court in the county of conviction.

5. (e) If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that:

   1. (1) the period required by this section has elapsed;
   2. (2) no charges are pending against the person;
   3. (3) the person has paid all fines, fees, and court costs, and satisfied any restitution obligation placed on the person as part of the sentence; and

   4. (4) the person has not been convicted of a crime within the previous five (5) years (or within a shorter period agreed to by the prosecuting attorney if the prosecuting attorney has consented to a shorter period under subsection (c));

      the court shall order the conviction records described in subsection (c), including any records relating to the conviction and any records concerning a collateral action, expunged in accordance with section 6 of this chapter.

As added by P.L.159-2013, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.181-2014, SEC.8; P.L.142-2015, SEC.2; P.L.95-2017, SEC.2; P.L.219-2019, SEC.8.