INDIANAPOLIS (AP): The Indiana Court of Appeals says judges can't deny a valid request by a former convict to have his criminal record sealed under a 2013 state law.

The court on Thursday reversed a Lake County judge's ruling rejecting a Valparaiso man's request to have a charge of sexual misconduct with a minor sealed.

The state court says Jason Taylor met the requirements of a law enacted in 2013 that allows expungement of low-level felonies or misdemeanors. The court says the local judge didn't have discretion to deny his request because the law makes expungement mandatory under such circumstances.

The charge against Taylor was reduced from a low-level felony to a misdemeanor in 2006 after Taylor completed probation.

The law shields certain offenders from background checks by potential employers.