Town Law
1650 Market St Ste 3669, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 307-5504
Ketchel Law
429 Fourth Ave #1600, Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 456-1221
Worgul Sarna & Ness
332 Fifth Ave 1st Floor, Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 214-9394
Shrager Defense Attorneys
Frick Building, 437 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 969-2540
Ciccarelli Law Offices
304 N High St, West Chester, PA
Phone: (610) 692-8700
McShane Firm
3601 Vartan Way UNIT 2, Harrisburg, PA
Phone: (717) 657-3900
Liberty Law Team
1515 Market St #1200, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 826-3314
Kenny Burns & McGill
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #520, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 423-5500
Brian Jordan
711 Sarah St, Stroudsburg, PA
Phone: (570) 764-4114
Saadzoi Law
115 W State St #403, Media, PA
Phone: (610) 566-5956
Robert A. Mancini
279 S Main St A, Doylestown, PA
Phone: (215) 348-4900
Goldstein Mehta
1717 Arch St Unit 320, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (267) 225-2545
Zuckerman Law Firm
Law & Finance Building, 429 Fourth Ave 16th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 447-5580
Cramer Swetz McManus Jordan & Saylor
711 Sarah St Apartment 2A, Stroudsburg, PA
Phone: (570) 421-5568
Fienman Defense
1608 Walnut St #900, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 344-7351
Fishman Firm
100 S Broad St #1910, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (267) 758-2228
McKenzie Law Firm
600 Eagleview Blvd Ste 318, Exton, PA
Phone: (610) 998-3120
DiCindio Law
29 S Walnut St, West Chester, PA
Phone: (610) 486-3458
Beeson Law
117 W Gay St #300, West Chester, PA
Phone: (484) 790-1239
Bellwoar Kelly
126 W Miner St #1, West Chester, PA
Phone: (610) 314-7066
Feeney & Gurwitz
500 Court St, Reading, PA
Phone: (610) 753-4820
Missan Law Offices
18 N 6th St, Reading, PA
Phone: (610) 376-0600
Bishop Law
220 Grant St #301, Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 589-9422
Stephen F. O’Meara
14 S Orange St, Media, PA
Phone: (610) 557-3907
Skinner Law Firm
15 W Gay St Ste 1, West Chester, PA
Phone: (610) 708-1352
Andrew Gay Jr.
1518 Walnut St #807, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 545-7110
JD Law
210 W Hamilton Ave Suite 330, State College, PA
Phone: (814) 689-9139
Law Office Of Michael T. Winters
53 N Duke St #318, Lancaster, PA
Phone: (717) 584-1895
Van Der Veen Hartshorn Levin & Lindheim
1219 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 585-2837
Gary E. Gerson
304 Ross St #600, Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 219-6875
Lampman Law
2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Phone: (570) 371-3737
Emkey Law Firm
1534 Penn Ave, Reading, PA
Phone: (610) 200-6103
Parkinson Tarpey Law
1315 Walnut St #1605, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 352-3432
Curtis E. Barnes
530 Walnut St, Reading, PA
Phone: (610) 775-9316
Scaringi Law
2000 Linglestown Rd #106, Harrisburg, PA
Phone: (717) 775-7195
Panighetti Law
3820 Liberty St Suite 203, Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 806-6385
V. Erik Petersen
409 Main St, Harleysville, PA
Phone: (215) 513-1700
Kathryn Roberts
527 Hamilton St, Allentown, PA
Phone: (484) 695-7023
Brennan Law Offices
1600 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 568-1400
Palissery Law
26 Pierce St, Kingston, PA
Phone: (570) 331-4529
Fairlie & Lippy
1501 Lower State Rd #304, North Wales, PA
Phone: (215) 997-1000
Joe Pometto Law
27 W Main St Suite 2, Carnegie, PA
Phone: (412) 593-4529
Marinaro Law Firm
53 N Duke St Suite 1, Lancaster, PA
Phone: (717) 397-7055
Stephen W. Grosh
53 N Duke St #203, Lancaster, PA
Phone: (717) 435-8830
Czekaj Law
7 W Main St Suite 2, New Bloomfield, PA
Phone: (717) 297-8409
Robert S. Muir
922 Philadelphia St, Indiana, PA
Phone: (724) 471-6457
Masorti Law Group
811 Cricklewood Dr #1, State College, PA
Phone: (814) 234-9500
Rehmeyer & Allatt
1317 N Atherton St, State College, PA
Phone: (814) 343-9860
Velter Yurovsky Zoftis Sokolson
1111 Street Rd #305, Southampton, PA
Phone: (215) 969-3004
Terry Hess Law
119 S Burrowes St #704, State College, PA
Phone: (814) 880-4377
James H. Bonner
8 W Front St, Media, PA
Phone: (610) 450-4555
Cohen & Patel Law Firm
2047 E High St, Pottstown, PA
Phone: (215) 585-2993
Miller Lyden
53 N Duke St #205, Lancaster, PA
Phone: (717) 393-8000
Community Legal Services
1410 W Erie Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 227-2400
Neighborhood Legal Services
928 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 255-6700
The Zeiger Firm
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #620a, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 309-9753
Record Eraser
1801 Lititz Pike Suite 3, Lancaster, PA
Phone: (717) 925-7820
Pennsylvania gives multiple paths to clear or hide old records. Expungement under 18 Pa.C.S. 9122 removes eligible nonconviction data and some summary convictions, while limited access orders and Clean Slate sealing restrict who can see many misdemeanor and some felony records. People who are not eligible for expungement or sealing can seek a pardon from the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, which clears the way for expungement after it is granted. Filing the right petition in the correct county and serving all required agencies is critical, and many residents work with a Pennsylvania expungement lawyer to avoid mistakes and delays.
How long does expungement take in PA?
Timelines vary by county and by the type of relief. Courts need time to process the petition, check service on the district attorney and any agencies, and issue an order. Expect several weeks to a few months from a complete filing to a final order, and sealing updates can continue after the court signs the order as systems sync across agencies.
Do you need a lawyer for expungement in PA?
You are not required to hire a lawyer to file, and the Unified Judicial System provides forms. Many people still hire a lawyer because eligibility rules, county procedures, and service steps are easy to get wrong. A lawyer can also appear if a hearing is set and can troubleshoot agency reporting so the record updates fully after the order.
What crimes cannot be expunged in PA?
Pennsylvania expungement focuses on nonconvictions and limited conviction categories such as older summaries. Most misdemeanor and felony convictions are not expunged by a court unless a pardon clears them first. Clean Slate and limited access laws can seal many cases from public view, but serious offenses and listed exclusions remain visible to justice agencies and in other allowed contexts.
What is the new expungement or Clean Slate law in Pennsylvania?
Clean Slate created automatic and petition based sealing for many offenses after set waiting periods and payment of court financial obligations. The program expanded over time to include additional eligible convictions and longer look back windows for some records. Sealed cases are hidden from most public checks but remain available to courts, prosecutors, police, and other entities allowed by law.
Does your criminal record clear after 7 years in PA?
Time alone does not erase a record in Pennsylvania. Some cases can be sealed automatically after set waiting periods under Clean Slate, but the law has limits and exclusions. If a case is not covered by automatic sealing, you need to file for expungement, limited access, or seek a pardon before expungement becomes available for that conviction.
How do I expunge a criminal record in Pennsylvania?
Start by pulling your court docket and your state criminal history so you can confirm what is actually on file. Complete the current expungement or limited access petition, file in the court that handled the case, and serve the district attorney and any agencies listed by the court. After the judge signs an order, keep certified copies and check that the court and state repositories reflect the change so background checks show the correct result.
Will an expunged or sealed record show on a background check in PA?
Public background checks should not show an expunged case, and sealed cases are hidden from most public reports. Justice agencies and some licensing bodies can still view nonpublic data for limited purposes. Keep proof of your order in case you need to correct a report that still shows old information that should be removed or masked.
How hard is it to get a pardon in PA?
Pardons are a separate process run by the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and require an application, background materials, and a review that can include a hearing. The process takes time and focuses on rehabilitation and public safety. If granted, you can then petition to expunge the pardoned conviction, which clears it from the public record after the expungement order is entered.
Who is eligible for Clean Slate in PA?
Eligibility depends on the offense level, the type of disposition, completion of sentences, and payment of court debt. Many nonconvictions and many misdemeanor convictions can be sealed after the waiting period if other criteria are met. Some felonies can qualify under later expansions, but listed violent and sexual offenses and other barred categories do not qualify for automatic sealing.
How much does it cost to get a criminal clearance or background check in PA?
Pennsylvania uses separate systems for clearances like the state police criminal history check, the child abuse history check, and FBI fingerprinting for roles that require it. Each system has its own fee schedule that can change, and some volunteers may qualify for a reduced fee in specific programs. Check the official portals for current amounts before you apply so you submit the right payment with your request.
How do I check the status of a Pennsylvania clearance?
If you used the Pennsylvania State Police ePatch site, you can log back in and view the status and final result online. Child abuse history requests are tracked in the Department of Human Services portal where you submitted the application. FBI fingerprinting status is checked through the vendor or the education or agency portal tied to your submission, and final results are delivered to the authorized requester listed in your application.
What are the three standard PA clearances for work with children?
Employers and volunteer programs commonly ask for three items. These are the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check, the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and an FBI fingerprint based record check for roles that require federal screening. Organizations may have additional checks based on the job, but those three are the standard baseline for child serving positions set by statute and policy.
What is the difference between a pardon and an expungement in PA?
A pardon is an act by the Governor based on a recommendation from the Board of Pardons that forgives a conviction. A court cannot expunge most convictions unless a pardon is granted first, so the pardon often comes before expungement. Expungement is a court order that removes or destroys eligible records, while sealing or limited access hides records from the public but keeps them available for justice use as the law allows.
Does expungement restore gun rights in Pennsylvania?
Expungement and restoration of firearm rights are separate legal questions. A pardon can help remove state level disabilities and can also address federal issues in some cases, but each situation needs a careful review against state and federal law. Do not assume a record change automatically restores firearm rights until you confirm your status in both systems and obtain any required orders.
How far back do criminal background checks go in Pennsylvania?
Public checks look at what is currently visible in court dockets and state repositories. If a case is expunged it should be removed, and if a case is sealed under Clean Slate it should be hidden from most public requests. Government and law enforcement checks can still access nonpublic data, so always keep proof of relief to address any questions that arise in sensitive screenings.
Official Sources
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania — Expungements and Limited Access
- Pennsylvania Courts — Public Forms, including expungement and limited access
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 — Expungement
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 — Clean Slate limited access
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 — Clean Slate automatic limited access
- Pennsylvania State Police — ePatch Criminal History Check
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Child Abuse History Clearance
- Pennsylvania Department of Education — Act 114 FBI Fingerprinting
- Pennsylvania Board of Pardons — Pardon Application
- UJS Portal — Docket search and case information