Clearing a Criminal Record in Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania Expungement Attorney Can Answer Your Questions Regarding Expungements and Pardons
Expungements: In Pennsylvania, you may be eligible to have your arrest record or criminal conviction record expunged if you meet certain requirements. There are several factors taken into consideration when the court considers granting an expungement, including the severity of the crime, the type of crime, the disposition of the case, the length of time since dismissal of a case and other factors.
Pennsylvania Expungement Law
(a) Specific proceedings.–Criminal history record information shall be expunged in a specific criminal proceeding when:
(1) No disposition has been received or, upon request for criminal history record information, no disposition has been recorded in the repository within 18 months after the date of arrest and the court of proper jurisdiction certifies to the director of the repository that no disposition is available and no action is pending. Expungement shall not occur until the certification from the court is received and the director of the repository authorizes such expungement; (2) a court order requires that such nonconviction data be expunged; or (3) a person 21 years of age or older who has been convicted of a violation of section 6308 (relating to purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages) petitions the court of common pleas in the county where the conviction occurred seeking expungement and the person has satisfied all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the violation, including any suspension of operating privileges imposed pursuant to section 6310.4 (relating to restriction of operating privileges). Upon review of the petition, the court shall order the expungement of all criminal history record information and all administrative records of the Department of Transportation relating to said conviction.
(b) Generally.–Criminal history record information may be expunged when:
(1) An individual who is the subject of the information reaches 70 years of age and has been free of arrest or prosecution for ten years following final release from confinement or supervision; or (2) An individual who is the subject of the information has been dead for three years.
(b.1) Prohibition.–A court shall not have the authority to order expungement of the defendant’s arrest record where the defendant was placed on Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition for a violation of any offense set forth in any of the following where the victim is under 18 years of age: Section 3121 (relating to rape). Section 3122.1 (relating to statutory sexual assault). Section 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse). Section 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault). Section 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault). Section 3126 (relating to indecent assault). Section 5902(b) (relating to prostitution and related offenses). Section 5903 (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances).
Pennsylvania R. Crim. P. Rule 320
(A) When the judge orders the dismissal of the charges against the defendant, the judge shall also order the expungement of the defendant’s arrest record, subject to the provisions of paragraph (B). (B) If the attorney for the Commonwealth objects to the automatic expungement, the objections shall be filed with the judge, together with the objections to dismissal, if any, within 30 days after service of a motion for dismissal under Rule 319, and copies of the objections shall be served on the defendant or the defendant’s attorney. (C) If the objections are filed, the judge shall hold a hearing on the objections, affording all parties an opportunity to be heard. Comment: The cases have held that a defendant’s arrest record shall be expunged upon successful completion of an ARD program, unless the Commonwealth presents compelling reasons why the arrest record should be retained. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Armstrong, 434 A.2d 1205 (Pa. 1981).
Expungements & Pardons is a law service assisting clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and other states. We assist individuals with eliminating the bias associated with a conviction or an arrest. Please note even a prior arrest with no conviction can harm you in your quest for a job, credit, a professional license or admission to the military or graduate programs.
Even if you do not qualify for a full expungement of your criminal record or record of arrest, you may still qualify for a partial expungement. No matter the circumstances, we are dedicated to helping you obtain a fresh start. We strongly believe that you shouldn’t be forced to continually pay for a crime or arrest.
An expungement of your criminal record is a civil action that can help clear your name and provide the fresh start you and your family deserve.
Pardons: In the event you are ineligible to have your criminal record expunged in Virginia, you may still be eligible to receive a pardon. In Virginia, you must first apply for a Restoration of Rights before you can apply for a pardon. A Restoration of Rights will restore those privileges taken away from you, such as the right to vote or hold public office.
Virginia also has several different types of pardons, including a “simple pardon,” which states that the Commonwealth has forgiven you for your crime. Please note a simple pardon does not expunge your conviction, but it does carry some weight and does open some doors that were previously closed.
Another type of pardon is an “absolute pardon,” which is also known as a “writ of actual innocence.” As the name implies, this pardon is granted if you pled “not guilty” to a crime and actual evidence exists which demonstrates conclusively that you did not commit the crime in question. An absolute pardon will expunge your entire criminal record regarding that crime.