If you’ve been convicted of a crime in Pennsylvania, the record of that conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. It’s bad enough to have suffered through the Pennsylvania criminal justice system, but having a criminal record is a gift that keeps on giving — in the worst ways.
It is, however, possible to clear your criminal record depending on the nature of your conviction or convictions and the time that has lapsed since. It is important to see if your situation may qualify for having your conviction removed from your record.
Imagine the relief at being able to seal your criminal record from the possibility of the public ever finding out about your convictions again, depending on the nature of the crime you were convicted of and how many convictions you have had in the past. An experienced criminal expungement attorney can quickly discern whether it is possible for you to obtain an expungement for some or all of your criminal record.
You may know that your criminal record of convictions may negatively impact your ability to get a job, find housing, get financial aid for college, drive or even vote.
Eligible to Clear Your Conviction from the Public Record and Public Eye?
Eligibility to clear a record of a conviction depends on a number of factors, including:
- What were the crimes you were convicted of?
- What was the seriousness of the crime(s) you were convicted of?
- What was the result of the crimes you were arrested for, otherwise known as the dispositions of the crimes?
- Was the conviction really a deferred prosecution?
- When was the last time you were convicted or otherwise arrested or had a run-in with the law?
- Was there a mistake in the record?
Clearing your conviction may not always restore rights and privileges that you have lost due to a criminal conviction. For example, you may not be allowed to possess guns, depending on the original conviction.
Additionally, please note that sometimes, even after an expungement, a person may find information about you via the Internet that they looked up before you were able to seal your record. If this is a vindictive person, they may share it with others.
Filing to Clear a Conviction from a Record
You may potentially be able to file a petition to clear your conviction record depending on where the crime was committed or where the court case was heard. There are situations in which your arrest took place in one location, your citation in another and a warrant of the charges in yet another law enforcement agency jurisdiction. You must contact all of these agencies in order to clear your criminal record. They often do not communicate with one another.
To clear or expunge a conviction, you must provide documents showing:
- Conviction date, acquittal or proof of discharge
- When the sentence requirements were fulfilled
- Law that was allegedly broken
Clear Convictions from Your Criminal Record and Seal It from Public View
Find out if it is possible for you to clear any arrests from your criminal record. Please contact the Harrisburg, PA, law firm of Laguna Reyes Maloney, LLP to schedule a free case evaluation with Roger Laguna or Laura Reyes Maloney: 717-233-5292. You may also contact us online.
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