Certain individuals can get a criminal record expunged in Pennsylvania. The PA expungement process involves requesting a copy of your arrest record and then petitioning the right court to expunge that record. Our Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer can help you navigate this process.
Who Qualifies for Expungement in Pennsylvania?
You could qualify for expungement if:
- Sufficient time has passed since the crime occurred (the length of time depends on the severity of the offense)
- You were accused or convicted of a summary offense or certain misdemeanors
- You were accused or convicted of a nonviolent felony
- You have not committed any crimes since the accusation or conviction you are seeking to have cleared
You are not eligible for expungement if you were convicted of a violent crime (e.g., rape or assault) or if the crime is still too recent.
If you are unsure of whether or not you qualify to petition for expungement, you are always welcome to discuss your case with our criminal defense team. Doing so can save you a lot of time and confusion as you seek to exercise your rights.
How Long Does Expungement Take in PA?
That depends. According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, before you can officially seek expungement, you have to obtain a copy of your arrest record from the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository, so you first have to wait until they process your request.
Once you receive your arrest record, you must submit a petition to have your record expunged. The court will need time to review your record and make sure you are eligible for expungement before they make a decision.
Hiring our defense attorneys will not expedite this process, but since we are very familiar with clearing criminal records in PA, our legal team can make sure you navigate the process with no mistakes and check in with other parties about unexpected delays.
What Does a Pennsylvania Criminal Record Expungement Mean for You?
Once your record is expunged, no one outside of the criminal justice system will be able to access that record again. For example, if you apply for a job and your prospective employer runs a background check, they will find no trace of the expunged record.
As you can imagine, having your record cleared could make a huge difference in your life. As such, even if the expungement process seems straightforward, you do not want to take any chances. The sooner you speak to our Pennsylvania lawyers about your case, the sooner we can begin the process of fighting for your fresh start.
Learn More About How to Expunge a Record in PA
Our expungement attorney in Pennsylvania is dedicated to helping people like you get a clean slate. Call McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., for a free consultation today. Our legal team would be glad to explain the PA expungement process in greater detail.
