A past criminal record shouldn’t dictate your future opportunities, housing, or peace of mind. If you have arrests or convictions holding you back in Pennsylvania, The Law Offices of Richard J. Fuschino Jr. are here to help you secure a clean slate. Our dedicated Philadelphia expungement lawyers carefully analyze your case to determine if you qualify for a full expungement or sealing under PA’s expanding Clean Slate laws.Â
Our legal team handles all the complex paperwork, court filings, and hearings so you can focus on moving forward with confidence. Contact The Law Offices of Richard J. Fuschino Jr. today for a confidential consultation to find out how quickly we can clear your name.
Eligibility Criteria for Expungement
You can’t just wipe away every criminal record in drug crimes in Philadelphia like magic. Whether you’re eligible for expungement hinges on the specifics of your case, how it ended, the nature of the charges, and the time elapsed since it all went down. Many folks think any old charge can vanish after a few years, but Pennsylvania law lays down strict rules you need to follow if you want a shot at a clean slate.
Commonly Expunged Offenses
If you’re trying to clear your name in Philadelphia, PA, some records are easier to scrub than others. The most straightforward ones to expunge are non-conviction records: cases where charges got dropped, dismissed, or you were found not guilty. Complete an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program? That can go too. It’s your right; don’t let an arrest without a conviction hang over your life.
For some low-level summary offenses, you might be able to clean them up, but only if you’ve stayed out of legal trouble for five years. Juvenile records often fall under more lenient rules since the system wants to shield young people from past lapses. Whether it’s an old dropped charge or a minor conviction, you’ll need skilled counsel, reach out to our Philadelphia expungement lawyers to help wipe the slate clean.
The Expungement Process in Philadelphia
Trying to move on from a past mistake or clear your name? The expungement process in Philadelphia requires careful attention from step one. You need to get your full criminal history and file a specific legal document, the Petition for Expungement, with the court. Slip up on this petition, and the court might reject it outright, meaning you’d have to start the whole grueling process over again.
Filing for Expungement
The journey kicks off with gathering all necessary documentation. Our seasoned Philadelphia expungement lawyers can handle this for you, sidestepping any critical errors. Once the petition’s correctly filed, it heads to the District Attorney’s Office, where they can either agree or oppose clearing your record. An expungement timeline might stretch over six months or more, especially if past convictions, like certain drug crimes in Philadelphia, spark objections from the DA.
Clear Your Record Now
Contact The Law Offices of Richard J. Fuschino Jr. today to assist in clearing your record. Our experienced Philadelphia expungement lawyers are standing by to review your case and help you secure the clean slate you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions: Expungement Attorneys in Philadelphia
How can I get my record expunged in Philadelphia?
To expunge a Philadelphia record:
- Check Eligibility: Confirm it involves non-convictions, completed diversion programs (like ARD), or summary offenses with five years clean.
- File Petitions: Submit Form 790 or 490 to the Office of Judicial Records at the CJC and pay the fee.
- Serve the DA: Wait for District Attorney review.
- Court Order: A judge reviews and signs the expungement order, directing agencies to purge the records.
What are the benefits of hiring an experienced expungement attorney?
Your chances of being successful will be greatly improved when you hire expungement lawyers to advise you. Conviction record clearing is completed by filling out the required forms, and if you make a mistake, your expungement will be rejected and you will have to start the process over again. If you are currently trying to get a better job, get a loan to buy a house, or get a passport for an upcoming trip, you can’t afford to wait for your arrest history to be erased. Working with expungement lawyers in Philadelphia will give you the best chance of getting a fresh start.
You don’t have to let your past stop you from having the future you want! Criminal record expunction is possible in the following cases and more:
- You were charged with a crime as a juvenile
- You were found not guilty after a trial
- Your charges were dismissed due to lack of evidence
- You completed an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program
What felonies cannot be expunged in PA?
In Pennsylvania, all felony convictions are generally ineligible for standard expungement unless the individual is over 70 or deceased.
Under “Clean Slate” sealing, major exclusions apply. Typical ineligible felonies include:
- First-Degree Felonies: Murder, rape, kidnapping, armed robbery.
- Violent Offenses: Aggravated assault, strangulation.
- Sex Crimes: Any offense requiring Megan’s Law registration.
- Weapons Charges: Illegal firearm possession.
- Justice Crimes: Witness intimidation, perjury.
To clear these, a gubernatorial pardon is required first.