How a Lawyer Can Help You Expunge Your Criminal Record

We’ve all made mistakes in the past; for some of us, those mistakes have resulted in a criminal record. Unfortunately, the consequences of a criminal record can be far reaching, even for those who have changed their ways and tried to move on with their lives. Having a criminal charge in your past can limit your ability to get a job, secure housing, get an education, and engage in countless other activities

If you have a criminal record in your past, you should know that it may be possible to clear it and get a fresh start. A Philadelphia expungement attorney like Mark D. Hauser can advise and represent you during your attempts to erase your criminal record, greatly improving your chances of success.

What is an Expungement?

Expungement is a court order that clears your criminal history from the State Police Criminal Repository and directs other agencies to update their records. Once the order goes through, many types of criminal charges can be permanently erased from your record so they won’t show up on background checks for housing, employment, licensure, and more.

Which Criminal Charges Can be Expunged?

While some criminal charges can be removed from your record, not all are eligible for expungement. Certain situations allow for record expungement, such as summary offenses when the offender has remained law-abiding for five years. Specific charges that may qualify include disorderly conduct, harassment, underage drinking, and retail theft. Additionally, underage drinking charges can be expunged once the offender turns 21. Hire us as your theft attorney in Philadelphia.

Expungement may also be possible for dockets where all charges have been withdrawn or dismissed, cases resolved through Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (such as DUI charges), or dockets with no disposition after 18 months. Convictions, including misdemeanors and felonies, that have been pardoned by the governor may also be eligible. Furthermore, individuals over 70 who have not been under supervision for 10 years may qualify for expungement. Since other circumstances may allow for expungement, consulting an attorney is the best way to understand your options.

How Does Expungement Work in Pennsylvania?

To get the process started, you will need to prepare and file expungement paperwork in the county where the charge occurred. At that point, the District Attorney will have 30 days to consent to the petition, oppose it, or ask for a hearing. If the DA opposes your petition, you can appeal. If a hearing is scheduled, you will have to appear in court.

If your petition is successful, a judge will sign the expungement order, which requires all records of the offense to be destroyed, and also requires state police to update their databases. Once that process is completed, it may take a few months for the information to be entirely deleted. After that, your criminal record will no longer be visible to the general public, including landlords, potential employers, and more.

Expungement Attorney in Philadelphia

If you want to wipe the slate clean, speaking to an attorney is the first step to getting the The process started. As an expungement lawyer in Philadelphia, Mark D. Hauser will be happy to speak with you about your case and let you know if expungement is possible. If it is, he can assist you in preparing all the necessary paperwork, and if a hearing is requested, represent you in court.

While it is possible to file expungement paperwork on your own, it is not advisable to do so. It takes an attorney with years of experience to understand the complexities of these cases, and working with legal counsel will give you the best chance of being successful. You can get on the path to clearing your criminal record today by requesting a consultation with Mark D. Hauser.