Pennsylvania Expungement Lawyer
Did you know it is possible to request that specific items be expunged from your criminal record? An expungement is a court order to seal certain portions of a criminal record or to remove specific items from it so that information is no longer available through certain databases, such as those accessed for background checks.
A Pennsylvania expungement lawyer could help you with the expungement process by filing the appropriate paperwork and working to help get the expungement request approved.
There are several benefits to having items expunged from a criminal record. Items that are expunged, such as arrests for which there was no conviction, will no longer be visible to employers, landlords, potential creditors, or others when conducting background checks. An experienced attorney could help you with the expungement process.
How an Expungement Attorney Can Help
There are several things a Pennsylvania expungement lawyer could do to assist someone with the expungement process. A lawyer could explain which types of items are eligible for expungement and review a person’s criminal record for potentially eligible items.
An expungement attorney could also fill out and file the required expungement paperwork with the court and fight to have specific items expunged from a person’s criminal record.
The Expungement Process in Pennsylvania
In order to have items from a criminal record, a petition must be filed with a Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. The petition must be accompanied by an expungement order proposing specific items to be expunged, as well as a copy of the individual’s criminal background report issued by the Pennsylvania state police.
An attorney for expungement in Pennsylvania could ensure the proper petitions and paperwork are filed with the court in a timely manner.
Items Eligible for Expungement
Items that are potentially eligible for expungement from a criminal record in Pennsylvania are detailed in Section 9211 of Title 18 in the Pennsylvania statutes. An expungement attorney in Pennsylvania could answer specific questions about the requirements for expungement and the types of items that are potentially eligible to be expunged. Examples of items that are potentially eligible for expungement in Pennsylvania and for which a petition to expunge can be made include:
- Arrests for which there was no conviction of the alleged offense(s)
- Summary offenses that occurred at least five years ago (so long as the individual requesting expungement has remained arrest and prosecution free since)
- Cases that were dismissed following successful completion of an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program (ARD)
It is also possible to have arrest and conviction records sealed for certain misdemeanor offenses. In most cases, an expungement would be best, but sealed records are a good alternative when expungement is not possible. A Pennsylvania expungement lawyer could explain the differences between expungement and sealed records.
What is not Eligible for Expungement
Some items and offenses are not eligible for expungement from a person’s Pennsylvania criminal record. For example, arrests or charges for certain offenses involving victims under the age of 18 years, such as those involving sexual assault or prostitution, are not eligible to be expunged from a criminal record.
A Pennsylvania expungement lawyer could explain which types of items are not eligible for expungement under Pennsylvania law.
Reach Out to a Pennsylvania Expungement Lawyer
Filing for an expungement of specific items on your criminal record can be confusing as several different forms are required before a petition for expungement will even be considered. Attempting to manage the entire expungement process on your own can be overwhelming. A Pennsylvania expungement lawyer could help by handling the expungement process for you.
Let an expungement attorney assist you with the expungement process. An attorney could ensure that all required paperwork is completed properly and that all the necessary documents are filed with the court. Contact an attorney for expungement in Pennsylvania today.
