Support Pennsylvania Expungement

Supporting SB391 to reform PA Expungement Law

Understanding Pennsylvania’s New Misdemeanor Record Sealing Law

Pennsylvanians seeking relief from the substantial burdens of a criminal record may soon be eligible to petition the court for an order of “limited access”. An order of limited access (i.e. record sealing) provides those with certain misdemeanor convictions the ability to obtain employment and housing without facing the discrimination that can accompany a criminal record.

How Will My Options Change Under the New Law?

The new record sealing statute will extend the opportunity to move past the stigma of having a criminal record to those who have been law-abiding citizens for at least 10 years. The eligible offenses will be nonviolent misdemeanors–second and third degree misdemeanors (notated as M2 and M3) and ungraded offenses. These options were formerly available only to a very small population of ex-offenders (individuals convicted of summary offenses, those 70 years or older and those who have been deceased for 3 years).

When Does the Law Go Into Effect?

The new law will take effect November 14, 2016, making it possible to effectively seal your record from being viewed by an employer or landlord in the event they obtain a background check. Petitions for orders of limited access, or record sealing, under Pennsylvania law 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122.1 may then be submitted to the courts for their consideration.

Am I Eligible For Record Sealing?

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • No convictions for 10 years (beginning from your conviction date or date of completion of supervision, including probation—whichever is later)
  • Only M2 or M3 (second or third degree) misdemeanors or ungraded offenses that carry no more than 2 years as a maximum sentence
  • No more than 3 eligible misdemeanor convictions
  • No felony or first degree misdemeanor convictions
  • No convictions of any of the following offenses: sexual intercourse with an animal (3129), impersonating a public servant (4912), intimidation of or retaliation against a witness (4952, 4953), obstruction of a child abuse case (4958), any sex offense conviction that requires registration under Meghan’s Law (42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97), or simple assault (M2 assault or second degree misdemeanor assault)

What is the Process?

In November 2016, the courts will likely receive a large increase in the number of individuals filing these petitions. Therefore, delays in processing by the court and District Attorney’s office are to be expected. If eligible, we recommend having your petition prepared and ready to file as soon as possible.

The petition must be filed in the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the conviction occurred. Case documents are often required to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the petition. A copy of your Pennsylvania Police criminal history report must also be included when filing. There is a filing fee of at least $132, but it may be more depending on the county or court. Sometimes there are fee waivers for those with limited resources.

The District Attorney’s office is then given 30 days to object to or approve the petition. If approved, the order will be granted and your record sealed. If the District Attorney’s Office objects, the court will set a hearing date before a judge at which the case will be argued. The District Attorney will present their objections and you or your attorney will have the chance to respond. It is often possible for your attorney to attend the hearing in your place, which can be helpful if you do not live near where you were convicted.

If your case is granted, law enforcement agencies will only be able to share information from your record amongst themselves, with courts (in the event of another arrest, it can be used for sentencing and bail determination) and with some governmental agencies (for licensing purposes, described in section 9121(b.1) and 9124(a). They will be prohibited from sharing any of the information with the public, including through a background or credit check.

It is important to note that approval of these petitions is not guaranteed. The court is not legally required to approve and may consider them on a case-by-case basis. Seeking help from legal professionals will likely increase your chances of obtaining a sealed record.

Pennsylvania State Senate Considering New Expungement Bill

A bill that expands the law to provide for expungement of certain misdemeanor convictions in Pennsylvania was recently re-introduced in the State Senate.
On January 15, 2015, State Senator Stewart Greenleaf introduced Senate Bill 166, which would greatly expand the expungement law in Pennsylvania and provide former offenders a deserved second chance.

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 166 on Misdemeanor Expungement

The recently introduced SB 166 provides for the same changes to Pennsylvania’s expungement law as Senate Bill 391. In October of 2013, the PA State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 391. Following passage in the senate, SB 391 was sent to the PA House for consideration but was never brought up for a vote. Under the proposed changes, the new law would allow certain offenders with misdemeanor convictions to expunge their conviction after a waiting period has been satisfied.

“A low-level misdemeanor in a person’s past can often serve as a continual barrier when seeking work, long after they have completed their sentence,” State Senator Greenleaf stated in his memorandum announcing the introduction of this bill. Greenleaf also said “this legislation would benefit not just former offenders, but Pennsylvania as a whole, by countering high rates of recidivism, relieving an overburdened pardon system, and providing an opportunity for ex-offenders to join our workforce.”

Comparing SB 166 to the Current Law

Pennsylvania’s current law does not allow individuals with misdemeanor or felony convictions to expunge their record, no matter what amount of time has passed, until he or she is over seventy years of age and has not been convicted of any offense for five years or until the person has been dead for three years. SB 166 would allow individuals who have nonviolent second or third degree misdemeanors to petition to have their criminal records expunged if they have not reoffended in seven years for second degree misdemeanors or ten years for third degree misdemeanors.

If Senate Bill 166 is passed and enacted, Pennsylvania would join a growing number of states that have added or improved their expungement laws in recent years to reduce the number of years that a criminal record can prejudice an individual. This national trend evidences the importance of allowing former offenders, especially those with low-level offenses, the chance to move forward without the stigma that comes with a conviction.

On February 3, after receiving a unanimous vote in the Judiciary Committee on January 22, Senate Bill 166 was referred to the senate Appropriations committee for consideration. We will continue to post updates as this extremely beneficial bill is considered by Pennsylvania’s legislature.

House Committee May Take Action on 391 In February

Tuesday, January 28 2014

After being approved in a unanimous vote by the Pennsylvania State Senate in October, Senate Bill 391, the expungement bill sponsored by Senator Timothy Solobay (D – 46) is waiting for action in the House Committee on the Judiciary. Supporters of the bill say that Committee Chairman Ronald Marisco (R -105) may allow for a vote on the bill in February.

Chairman Marisco has strong law-enforcement connections and a solid anti-crime voting record, so he may be having an knee-jerk reaction to this bill. Hopefully, he will see that the bill is supported by the state’s district attorneys and that other red states have passed laws that expanded expungement.

What The Senate Bill 391 Will Accomplish

SB 391 will expand the Pennsylvania courts ability to expunge criminal records to include low level misdemeanors after waiting periods have been met. Under current law, no misdemeanor convictions are eligible to be expunged.

Please contact representative Marisco and ask him to allow a vote on SB 391.
He can be reached via email at rmarsico@pahousegop.com or you can call his office at 717-783-2014.

Pennsylvania Senate Voted 49-0 to pass Senate Bill 391

Great news! The PA Senate voted today to pass Senate Bill 391 with a 49-0 vote. SB 391 allows some offenders with misdemeanor convictions to expunge their conviction after satisfying a waiting period.

“The bill still has hurdles to clear before enactment,” said attorney Mathew Higbee, “but we are very encouraged by the unanimous support the bill received in the Senate.”

SB 391 was unanimously approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 17, 2013 and had since been awaiting a vote by the full Senate. The bill now heads to the State House of Representatives. If this legislation is enacted, Pennsylvania will join 19 other states that have expanded their expungement laws in the past five years.

Senate Bill 391 Held Over Until Wednesday

Tuesday, October 15 2013

The Senate was schedule to vote on SB 391 today, but the bill was held over until Wednesday. Senate insiders are optimistic that the entire Senate will vote the bill on this week. Attorney Mathew Higbee says that he expects the bill to pass by a strong majority. “SB 391 makes for good law and it passed with unanimous support in committee. I would be shocked if it did not receive the majority of votes needed for passage and even surprised if it did not receive more than forty votes in support.”

The Pennsylvania Senate is comprised of 50 Senators. Assuming that all members vote, 26 votes in support are needed to approve the bill. If approved, Senate Bill 391 will need to be approved by the State House and then the governor.

Full Senate Vote on Expungement Bill Possible This Week

Monday, June 24 – Harrisburg, PA.  The bill proposing to greatly expand Pennsylvania’s expungement law, Senate Bill 391, was moved up on the Senate calendar today.  Representatives from Senator Tim Solobay’s office said they are optimistic about the full Senate vote happening this week.  Senate Bill 391 was unanimously approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 17, 2013, and has since been awaiting a vote by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 391, which is sponsored by Senator Solobay, modernizes Pennyslvania’s expungement law by allowing some offenders with low-level misdemeanors to expunge their record after they have proven that they are rehabilitated and satisfied a substantial waiting period.  If Pennsylvania enacts this legislation, they will join seventeen other states that have expanded their expungement laws in the past five years.

Please contact your state Senator and let them know you support SB 391.

EVERYONE – ACT NOW to Support SB 391!!

Everyone that accesses this website needs is interested and supports the passage of SB 391. Get involved NOW!! Call Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi’s office, send emails to voice your support to bring SB 391 to the Senate floor for a vote BEFORE these law-makers recess for a long summer break. Tell your friends and family members to call and email – GET SENATOR PILEGGI’S ATTENTION to move this bill!!!

bill 391

I think this will give a lot of good people more opportunities for work and also help cut unemployment down significantly please pass this bill asap.

I support Bill 391

People are capable of maturing after 5-10+ years of life. Some offenses such as “possession of a controlled substance” should not haunt you for the rest of your life. A person is considered an adult at 18, but they are not as mature as they are in their 20s and 30s, and shouldn’t have their entire future damaged by a misdemeanor on their criminal record. I support Bill 391, Please support Bill 391.

Expungement Bill Gets Unanimous Support In Appropriations Committee

Monday, June 17 – Harrisburg, PA. The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 391 today. The bill, which is sponsored by Senator Tim Solobay, will expand the eligibility for expungement of criminal records to include some low-level misdemeanors.

The next step for the bill is a vote by the full Senate on the senate floor. Mathew Higbee, an attorney and former political consultant who tracks expungement bills nationwide, says that he would expect that the bill will be supported by the full Senate. “It is rare for a bill to be rejected in a full floor vote after it gets unanimous support by a bi-partisan committee,” said Higbee.

The Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi controls the schedule for the floor vote.  Those who support the bill are encouraged to call Senator Pileggi and let him know that you support SB 391, the expungement bill. Senator Pillegi can be reached at 717-787-4712 or via email through his web site at http://www.senatorpileggi.com/email-senator-pileggi/

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