Pyle, J.
Effective July 1, 2012, our General Assembly amended the statute covering the sentencing range for Class D felonies by adding the following language:
(c) Nothwithstanding subsection (a), the sentencing court may convert a Class D felony conviction to a Class A misdemeanor conviction if, after receiving a verified petition as described in subsection (d) and after conducting a hearing of which the prosecuting attorney has been notified, the court makes the following findings:
(1) The person is not a sex or violent offender (as defined in IC 11-8-8-5).
(2) The person was not convicted of a Class D felony that resulted in bodily injury to another person.
(3) The person has not been convicted of perjury under IC 35-44-2-1 or official misconduct under IC 35-44-1-2.
(4) At least three (3) years have passed since the person:
(A) completed the person’s sentence; and
(B) satisfied any other obligation imposed on the person as part of the sentence; for the Class D felony.
(5) The person has not been convicted of a felony since the person:
(A) completed the person’s sentence; and
(B) satisfied any other obligation imposed on the person as part of the sentence; for the Class D felony.
(6) No criminal charges are pending against the person.
Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7(c) (emphasis added).
. . . .
It seems clear that the General Assembly has adopted a policy wherein trial courts can reward good behavior by removing the stigma of certain Class D felony convictions. See State v. Brunner, 947 N.E.2d 411 (Ind. 2011) (modification of conviction for good behavior may be equitable and desirable, but only after legislature grants authority to courts). However, the language used in the statute does not create a right to the reduction of one’s Class D felony conviction to a misdemeanor. The word “may” shows an intent by the legislature to give trial courts the discretion to grant or deny a petition, even if all of the statutory requirements have been met by the Petitioner. While it is best for trial courts to keep in mind the policy preference of rewarding good behavior with a reduction of a Class D felony conviction to a Class A misdemeanor, trial courts are free to deny a petition as long as the denial is supported by the logic and effect of the facts.
Here, the evidence provides a basis for the trial court’s denial of Alden’s petition. For example, while Alden completed his sentence, it was not without incident. Three probation violations were filed during the period of his supervision, with an arrest warrant being issued for at least one of those violations. More importantly, the testimony shows reluctance, even evasiveness, on the part of Alden to acknowledge his subsequent arrest and conviction in Illinois for operating while intoxicated. Further, Alden’s testimony was the only evidence supporting Alden’s assertion that his conviction in Illinois was not a felony. No additional evidence was submitted to corroborate his testimony. We are aware that a significant period of time has passed since Alden’s convictions. However, given the lack of additional evidence, the evasiveness, and equivocal nature of Alden’s testimony concerning his Illinois conviction, we cannot say that the trial court was unconvinced that the Illinois conviction was indeed a misdemeanor. As a result, we find no abuse of discretion.
ROBB, C.J., and MAY, J., concur.