A criminal conviction can have immediate consequences for the offender, including incarceration, financial penalties and the termination of employment. The long-term impact can be equally daunting. A criminal record can make it difficult to get a job or limit access to vital government resources and programs.
If you’ve been convicted of certain crimes in Pennsylvania, you may be able to get some relief that can have a life-changing impact.
Schedule a ConsultationIn legal terms, expungement is a process for the permanent removal of a criminal record. An expungement order directs the court to treat the conviction as if it never occurred. It removes any mention of the arrest and conviction from public records and the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Repository. The incident will remain in the FBI database and possibly in some private databases.
Expungement differs from record sealing, also called an Order for Limited Access. When records are sealed, they are no longer publicly available, meaning they cannot appear in a background check. Members of the justice system can view sealed records and consider them in situations such as a pending case.
Generally, records for adults can be expunged if an individual:
If someone has been acquitted of all charges or there is a court order that calls for charges to be expunged, the record of that charge might also be eligible for expungement.
For juveniles, records can be expunged if:
An attorney for the state can consent to a court order for expungement for juveniles, as well. The decision depends on the individual’s age and background of employment and criminal activity. They will also consider the type of charge, consequences that would happen if the record isn’t expunged and if expungement would impact public safety.
Convictions for sexual or violent crimes still will not meet the qualifications for expungement. Examples include:
Any offenses that require Megan’s Law registration or those involving incarceration of at least two years are also ineligible. Likewise, individuals with multiple convictions with a one-year or longer incarceration period do not meet the guidelines.
While some expungement for summary offenses may occur automatically, misdemeanors and felonies typically require filing a petition with the court. The experienced Pennsylvania expungement lawyers at Buzgon Davis Law Offices can guide you through the process.
Your expungement attorney will review your situation to determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements. We’ll then take the appropriate legal actions to remove your conviction.
Let our lawyers help you explore your options for expungement and alleviating the impact of a criminal conviction. Call us or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.
Contact our expungement attorneys for more information and to discuss your specific case.
Leave a Review