On August 22, 2022 Robert C. Sproul (aka R.C. Sproul, Jr), via his attorney, filed a petition (Case No. 02D05-2208-XP-000261) in Allen County Indiana Superior Court to expunge and seal the court records from his felony Drunk Driving Conviction (decided June 2, 2017).

Most states allow provision for expungement of certain criminal records, with terms and conditions provided in their state statutes. Less serious crimes tend to be easier to expunge versus more serious crimes. Certain crimes can never be expunged such as murder, rape, sex trafficking, etc. Statutes specify how long after conviction one must wait prior to applying for expungement, as well as that the convicted can not have re-offended during that time frame.

As in several other states, Indiana makes provision to have Drunk Driving conviction records expunged (at least for first-time offenders). However, under IC 35-38-9-3 the Indiana Code stipulates the petitioner can only appeal for expungement:

"(c) Not earlier than eight (8) years after the date of conviction..."

RC Sproul Jr wouldn't be eligible to have his criminal conviction expunged until at least June 2025, and that provided he manages to avoid getting arrested again for drunk driving or any other criminal acts, to wit IC 35-38-9-3: "(4) the person has not been convicted of a crime within the previous eight (8) years..."

On September 15, 2022 Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David H. McClamrock filed a MOTION TO DISMISS VERIFIED PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT AS PREMATURE. 

On the same date the court issued an Order granting the Deputy Prosecutor's Motion To Dismiss.

We do find it interesting that the Deputy Prosecutor states in his Motion: "Defendant was convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated..." The term "intoxicated" is far more general and broad than the original charge which specified the intoxicant being alcohol with a blood alcohol content of .175 (more than twice the legal limit). Could it be that it came to the attention of the Prosecutor's Office that RC Sproul Jr wasn't just drunk on alcohol but also (allegedly) under the influence of opioids at the time of his arrest November 29, 2016? 

On a practical level it might make some sense why RC Jr would seek to have his criminal record expunged. Perhaps he's decided to finally seek an honest day-job to support his family? A felony criminal record might interfere with that. But the way he went about seeking to expunge his criminal record may not have been all that well advised. 

Even had he been successful there's still the issue of RC Sproul Jr's Felony Drunk Driving conviction plastered all over the internet. Expunging those records will prove far more challenging. And the reality is employment background checks always include a basic Google search on the applicant's name. Well, almost always.

For more on RC Jr's drunk driving arrest see RC Sproul Jr Charged With Drunk Driving. 

See also RC Sproul Jr Pleads Guilty To Avoid Prison.