A criminal record can affect your life long after a case ends. In Pennsylvania, expungement or record sealing can help you move forward by limiting or removing what employers, landlords and licensing boards can see.
How expungement and sealing work in Pennsylvania
Expungement removes eligible arrests or cases from public view. Record sealing hides records from the public but still lets courts and law enforcement see them. Pennsylvania law made more people eligible and automatically seals many records.
According to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122, Pennsylvania courts must or may expunge records in certain situations. These situations include cases that ended without a conviction such as dismissed or withdrawn charges. They also include some summary offenses after a waiting period with no new arrests and cases that follow a governor’s pardon. The law gives judges some choice in certain cases so not every record qualifies automatically.
Who may be eligible
Eligibility depends on how the case ended, the type of offense and how much time has passed without new convictions. Common examples include:
- Non-convictions: Dismissed, withdrawn or not guilty cases often qualify.
- Summary offenses: Some qualify after five years with no new arrests.
- Misdemeanors: Some convictions qualify for sealing after seven years.
- Felonies: Some nonviolent felonies qualify for sealing after ten years.
- Juvenile matters: Many qualify after required waiting periods.
Courts usually exclude violent crimes, sexual offenses and crimes against minors.
The process at a glance
You start by reviewing your record, file in the right county and wait for agencies to update their systems after a court order.
- Request your record: Get your criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police.
- Confirm eligibility: Check Clean Slate timelines or petition rules.
- File a petition if needed: File with the Court of Common Pleas and pay required fees.
- Wait for updates: Agencies update records over the next several weeks.
Accurate filing matters. Missing documents or mistakes can delay or stop the process.
Why consulting an attorney can help
Expungement and sealing often turn on small details in court records. Judges can use discretion in some cases and minor wording differences can affect eligibility. An attorney can review your full record, apply § 9122 correctly and file paperwork that meets local court rules.
