What Crimes Can Be Expunged In PA?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The expanded list of offenses that are now eligible to be expunged includes substance-related offenses such as

DUI’s and controlled substance and drug paraphernalia possession

, as well as 2nd-degree misdemeanors such as larceny, identity theft, and reckless endangerment.

Can felonies be expunged in PA?

Generally, the only way to remove a felony or misdemeanor conviction from your record in Pennsylvania is by receiving a pardon from the Governor. These convictions

cannot be expunged by a court

, unless you are over 70 years old and meet other conditions.

What felonies Cannot be expunged in PA?

Felonies and serious misdemeanors — such as

violent crime and sexual offenses

— generally cannot be expunged. … If you are 70 years old or older and have been arrest-free for 10 years since being convicted, any conviction — misdemeanor or felony — on your record is eligible for expungement.

What crimes are not eligible for expungement?

Also, non-conviction records can often be expunged. Crimes involving

violence, endangerment to children, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, arson, terrorism, and severe injury or death of another person

typically are not eligible for expungement.

How much does it cost to expunge your record in PA?

Pennsylvania has expungement laws that help people who received a summary offense, Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) or had an arrest that did not lead to a conviction. Expungement usually takes about 4 to 6 months. Attorneys typically charge

between $700 to to $1000

to expunge your record.

How long does a felony stay on your record in Pennsylvania?

The expungement law in Pennsylvania allows a felony to be expunged ONLY if: 1) person has been dead for

3 years

; OR 2) if the person is 70 years old and has not been convicted of a new offense within 10 years of completion of the sentence.

Can a convicted felon own a gun after 10 years in PA?

The Gun Control Act of 1968, a Federal law, prohibits anyone who has been

convicted of a felony

, a misdemeanor punishable by more than two years in prison, or a domestic-violence misdemeanor from purchasing or possessing a firearm. …

How long does expungement take in PA?

The typical expungement process can last anywhere

between 4 to 6 months

. This length of time, however, can depend on a person’s specific case. In addition, the speed may vary depending on a person’s ability to file correctly for the expungement.

How can I get my record expunged for free in Pennsylvania?

You can take a free

Pennsylvania expungement test at RecordGone.com

to see if you are eligible for expungement. If your offense was a summary offense (minor offenses such as underage drinking, highway obstruction, and retail theft), you may be eligible to expunge your criminal record.

How do I expunge my criminal record in Pennsylvania?

In order to have your criminal record expunged, you

must file a formal petition with the court in the county where you were charged requesting that the desired records be removed or deleted

.

What cases are eligible for expungement?

  • juvenile offenses,
  • charges that were dropped or dismissed,
  • arrest records,
  • infractions,
  • non-violent crimes, and.
  • low-level misdemeanors.

Do expunged records show up on background checks?

Expunged charges are erased from the record entirely, and sealed records still exist but are inaccessible to the public.

Generally, sealed and expunged records will never appear on a background check

.

Does your criminal record clear after 7 years?

People often ask me whether a criminal conviction falls off their record after seven years.

The answer is no

. … Your criminal history record is a list of your arrests and convictions. When you apply for a job, an employer will usually hire a consumer reporting agency to run your background.

How long does it take to get a record expunged?

The expungement process generally takes

8 to 12 weeks

. Sometimes you can get it done faster in some municipal courts; but if it’s in a district court, 8 to 12 weeks are standard.

How far back do background checks go in PA?

How far back do background checks in Pennsylvania go? The

seven-year rule

applies to background checks in Pennsylvania; no criminal records of arrests that took place more than seven years ago are taken into consideration, no matter whether they resulted in convictions or not.

What states go back 10 years on background checks?

  • Alaska.
  • California.
  • Indiana.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Michigan.
  • New York.
Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.