The Town Law
1650 Market St Ste 3669, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-307-5504
SKA Law Group
1518 Walnut St #808, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 267-265-4553
Liberty Law Team
1515 Market St #1200, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-826-3314
van der Veen Law
1219 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-585-2837
Affordable Legal Center
2448 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-333-5297
Coleman Defense
1717 Arch St Unit 320, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-564-1634
Wimmer Criminal Defense
123 S Broad St Ste 2037, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-712-1212
The Fishman Firm
100 S Broad St #1910, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 267-758-2228
Fienman Defense
1608 Walnut St #900, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-344-7351
Kenny, Burns & McGill
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #520, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-423-5500
Law Offices of M. J. Snyder
1500 Walnut St 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-515-3360
The Zeiger Firm
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #620a, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-309-9753
Law Offices of Steven Kellis
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd Suite 900-A, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-940-1200
Andrew Gay Jr.
1518 Walnut St #807, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-545-7110
Parkinson Tarpey Law
1315 Walnut St #1605, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-352-3432
Gregory J. Pagano
1315 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-636-0160
Hughes Law
1315 Walnut St Suite 803, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-454-6680
Brennan Law Offices
1600 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-568-1400
Shaka Johnson Law
1333 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-732-7900
Michael Kotik Esq.
3331 Street Rd Suite 450, Bensalem, PA
Phone: +1 215-833-0133
Hope Lefeber Law
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #1205, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 610-596-1880
Michael F. Niznik Law
1500 Walnut St #900, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 267-589-0601
The Nenner Law Firm
123 S Broad St Suite 2145, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-564-0644
Derek Steenson Law
100 S Broad St Suite 812B, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-253-8658
Velter Yurovsky Zoftis
1111 Street Rd #305, Southampton, PA
Phone: +1 215-969-3004
Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross
Liberty Place, 1650 Market St Suite 3600, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-550-1999
Community Legal Services
1410 W Erie Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-227-2400
The Philly Lawyers
Two Penn Center, 1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #1030, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-884-9300
Philly Traffic Lawyer
133 Heather Rd Ste 205, Bala Cynwyd, PA
Phone: +1 215-586-4300
Mark D. Hauser
427 S Broad St 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 267-584-4093
Douglas Earl Law
1015 Chestnut St APT 902, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-627-5970
Giaramita Law Offices
101 West Chester Pike #1a, Havertown, PA
Phone: +1 484-558-0076
Szanto Law
1500 Walnut St #1060, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: +1 215-346-5905
AITA Law
35 Kings Hwy E #200, Haddonfield, NJ
Phone: +1 856-287-7800
Pennsylvania offers expungement and limited access relief through statute and the statewide Clean Slate system. Expungement removes qualifying cases from the public docket, while limited access seals data from most public searches but keeps it available to justice agencies and some licensing bodies. In Philadelphia you still need to file petitions for many outcomes, and you should use the correct statewide forms and follow local filing rules so the court can update records without delay.
How do I get my record expunged in Philadelphia?
You file a petition in the court that handled the case using the statewide expungement forms. The petition must list docket numbers, charges, and the outcome, and you need to serve the District Attorney. After the judge signs an order, agencies update their records, but the process is not instant and updates can take weeks.
Do I need a lawyer for expungement in Pennsylvania?
You are allowed to file on your own using the official forms and instructions. Many people still hire a lawyer because eligibility rules and service steps are technical and one mistake can slow the case. If a hearing is scheduled an attorney can address objections and fix gaps in the record on the spot.
How long does expungement take in Pennsylvania?
Most petitions in Philadelphia take a few months from filing to a signed order. Timelines depend on how fast the court schedules review and how quickly agencies process notices. Missing documents and bad service are common reasons for delay, so complete files move faster.
Which cases are not eligible for expungement in Pennsylvania?
Convictions that carry state prison sentences or are excluded by statute generally cannot be expunged, except in narrow circumstances like summary offenses after a waiting period. Most adult convictions are handled through limited access rather than true expungement. Juvenile matters and arrests with no conviction have broader expungement options.
What is Clean Slate in Pennsylvania?
Clean Slate is an automated system that seals certain eligible convictions and non conviction records after waiting periods if criteria are met. It does not wipe every record and it does not replace petitions for cases that fall outside its rules. Sealed records remain available to courts, police, and some licensing bodies even when hidden from most public checks.
Does a conviction fall off after seven years in Pennsylvania?
No, time alone does not clear a conviction in state systems. Records change only by an automatic Clean Slate seal if you meet the strict criteria or by a court order after a petition. Without one of those, the entry remains on the docket and in criminal history databases.
Will an expunged case show on a background check in Pennsylvania?
Once expunged, the public record should not appear on standard commercial background checks. Law enforcement and courts can still view sealed or expunged data for limited uses defined by law. You should keep a certified copy of the order in case you need to correct an outdated report with an employer or landlord.
What are filing fees for expungement in Pennsylvania?
Courts charge filing fees that vary by county, and Philadelphia sets its own schedule. People with low income can apply for fee waivers so the case can proceed without payment. Attorney fees are separate and depend on record complexity and how many dockets are included.
What is the Fair Chance Hiring law in Philadelphia?
This city law limits when employers can ask about criminal history and how they may use it in hiring decisions. It requires a real review of the job, the record, and the time since the offense before a denial. Clean Slate seals and expungement orders improve outcomes because less information is available to private screeners at the time of review.
Do Clean Slate seals work the same as expungement?
No, a seal restricts public access but keeps the record for justice and licensing uses, while expungement removes it from public files. Many adult convictions qualify only for limited access sealing, not expungement. Employers who run standard checks will usually not see sealed entries, but some regulated fields can still review them under law.
How do I check the status of a Pennsylvania background check?
If you used the state system, you can check status through the Pennsylvania State Police portal. When a court grants relief, agencies still need time to update, so the portal may not reflect the change immediately. If you find outdated data, you can dispute it with the screener and provide your court order.
What paperwork do I need for an expungement petition?
You will need the petition form, a proposed order, and details for each docket, including disposition and dates. Some cases require a sworn statement and proof that fines and restitution are paid. Certified docket sheets help avoid questions about entries that are unclear or incomplete.
Can a felony be cleared in Pennsylvania?
Some nonviolent felonies can be sealed under Clean Slate after long waits if you meet strict limits, but many felonies do not qualify for expungement. A few specific felony types can be expunged in narrow situations like pardons. Each case turns on offense type, sentence, and your record since the conviction.
Do I have to serve the District Attorney in Philadelphia?
Yes, service on the Philadelphia District Attorney is required so the office can review your petition. If service is bad, the court will not grant relief until it is corrected. Keep proof of service because the court can request it at any time before signing the order.
How do juvenile expungements work in Pennsylvania?
Juvenile court records can often be expunged if you meet the statute and you have no pending charges. The process still requires a petition and an order, and the court will consider offense type and your record after the case. Clearing juvenile entries can remove major barriers to jobs and education later on.
After the order is signed, how do records get updated?
The court sends certified orders to agencies like the State Police and local repositories. Those agencies process the order and update statewide indexes and court systems. Private screeners refresh on their own schedules, so you may need to provide a copy of the order if an old report still shows the case.
Can I clear dismissed charges and not guilty findings?
Yes, arrests with no conviction and cases that ended without a guilty result are strong candidates for expungement. Clean Slate may also seal these automatically after a period if you stay eligible. Filing a petition can speed the update and avoid waiting for automatic processes to run.
Will a sealed or expunged record affect my professional license review?
Many boards can see sealed or expunged data, but they must follow the rules for how that information is considered. Relief still helps because it narrows what appears in routine commercial checks and shows the court has granted legal relief. You should keep your paperwork and be ready to answer specific application questions accurately.
Can I remove a summary offense from my record?
Yes, many summary offenses can be expunged after a waiting period without new disqualifying convictions. You still need to file a petition and get a court order. Clean paperwork and proof of paid fines avoid preventable delays.
What happens if the District Attorney objects to my petition?
The court may schedule a hearing where both sides can present facts and law. You should bring proof of completion, restitution status, and any rehabilitation evidence that supports relief. If the judge denies without prejudice you can correct the issues and refile when ready.
Official Sources
- Pennsylvania Courts — Clean Slate and Expungement
- Pennsylvania Courts — Statewide Forms
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes — Title 18, Chapter 91 (Criminal History Records)
- PA.gov — Clean Slate Guide
- Pennsylvania State Police — Request a Criminal Record
- City of Philadelphia — Fair Chance Hiring Law
- City of Philadelphia — Crime, Law and Justice Services