Pennsylvania Expungement and Record Clearing

Lawmakers Propose to Expunge Minor Offenses From Pennsylvania Records

http://wfmz.com/view/?id=259458

The proposal was unanimously passed by the State Senate and is on its way for House approval. The bill would give one time minor offenders a clean slate.

>> FARRIS: State Senate Bill 232 would give people with one time summary offences the opportunity to expunge their record after five years.

>>GAVIN HOLIHAN: It's a very good idea, probably long overdue.

>>FARRIS: Allentown Attorney Gavin Holihan specializes in record expungement. Holihan says many of his cases involve people who made a mistake as a young adult.. and continue to pay for it decades later.

>> GAVIN HOLIHAN: I've seen people be deprived of a job because of summary convictions and I've seen people fired from jobs when a background check reveals a conviction for a summary offense such as retails theft.

>> FARRIS: The proposal would affect offenses like disorderly conduct, harassment, trespassing, criminal mischief and retail theft. The latter has at least one major employer concerned. Manpower places many of its employees in call centers across the Lehigh Valley.

>> DONNA BENNER: So potentially if it's wiped off you could have someone who has a theft on their record who is now handling people's credit card information.

>> FARRIS: Donna Benner says she also worries the bill, while good intentioned...will not help everyone.

>> DONNA BENNER: I don't think the average person can afford to get a lawyer and get it exponged and I don't think they are going to do it for free. >>Just because you ask to have your record expunged doesn't mean it will happen. You have to hire an attorney and then a judge decides. The process could take 6 to 8 months.