Pennsylvania has recently expanded its expungement law to allow many Pennsylvanians with nonviolent misdemeanor convictions to seal their criminal records from public view, thereby offering access to potential housing and employment opportunities. Last week, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law Senate Bill 166, permitting the expungement of most non-violent misdemeanor convictions after 7 to 10 years have elapsed without any further criminal incidents.
In signing the new expungement law, Governor Wolf issued the following press release explaining his views on criminal justice reform and the rationale in supporting Pennsylvania’s expungement reform:
“Governor Tom Wolf today signed Senate Bill 166, sponsored by Senator Stewart Greenleaf, into law, which expands criminal record sealing in Pennsylvania in order to reduce recidivism, relieve the pardon system, and provide ex-offenders greater opportunity to join the workforce.” Governor Wolf was joined today at a bill signing ceremony by Sen. Greenleaf, Rep. Jordan Harris, chairs of Judiciary committees and various criminal justice organizations.
“The United States is the world leader in incarceration and a criminal record often carries a lifetime of consequences that often lead to poverty or re-incarceration,” Governor Wolf said. “This law is a commonsense, positive and unprecedented step to help Pennsylvanians with minor or dated criminal records have a fighting chance at opportunities for gainful employment.”
“Too many first-time and low-level offenders are serving their time and unable to improve their lives after leaving the system because they have a criminal record. And, they are too likely to then return to the system. We must do everything we can to break this cycle; it is robbing too many of their lives and it is costing taxpayers far too much.”
SB 166 amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to allow individuals who have served their punishment and remained free of arrest or prosecution for seven to ten years, for nonviolent misdemeanors, to petition the court for their record to be sealed from public view.
Between 70 and 100 million Americans, or as many as one in three American adults, have some type of criminal record. A recent report estimated that between 33 and 36.5 million children in the United States—nearly half of all U.S. children—have at least one parent with a criminal record.
A criminal record often carries a lifetime of consequences, and even a minor criminal record can be a serious impediment to employment, housing, education and training, public assistance, financial empowerment, and more.
More than half of U.S. states (27) allow some misdemeanor and even felony convictions to be expunged or sealed. This Act allows certain criminal records to be sealed, meaning that law enforcement and state licensing agencies will continue to have access to those records – but those records will no longer be an impediment for employment or housing.”
Our law firm applauds Governor Wolf, Senator Greenleaf, and the Pennsylvania legislature for its support of essential reform to our criminal justice system, and taking steps in the right direction to empower Pennsylvanians to move forward in life without the cloud of old, nonviolent offenses holding them back. Interpreting new laws can be particularly challenging, which is why it is strongly recommend that you hire an experienced attorney to properly expunge your criminal record.
If you’re ready to move on in life without a Pennsylvania criminal record holding you back, our law firm has is here to help—the first step is simply taking our free, confidential Eligibility Test to see if you qualify. If you would prefer to speak with one of our Criminal Records Analysts, you can call us toll free at (844) 947-3732.
You can trust that you will get exceptional service form our law firm, as we have an A Rating from the Better Business Bureau, and our attorneys are rated as Super Lawyers and as Superb Attorneys by other prestigious attorney rating services such as Thompson Reuters and Avvo. Our law firm has attorneys licensed to practice law in all Pennsylvania state courts. WipeRecord offers low price guarantees and we are here to work at helping you put your criminal record behind you!
My husband was denied a jv high school coaching job by West Perry school board, because of a 22 year old DUI. He has coached little league for 10 years an these boys all love him as there coach. They wouldn’t even allow him to speak to defend himself.