Expungement is a legal process through which you could seek to have certain offenses removed from your criminal record. For defendants who have carried the burden of a criminal record for some time and still managed to avoid getting into further legal trouble, expungement can offer a path to expanding opportunities without being held back by past mistakes continuing to appear on background checks run by potential employers, educational institutions, and landlords.

What crimes cannot be expunged in PA?

In Pennsylvania, many crimes are, unfortunately, ineligible for expungement. This generally includes misdemeanors and felonies for which you were convicted, unless you meet certain narrow exceptions (like juvenile expungement, age 70 or older, or filing the petition for a deceased individual as their family or estate). Most adult convictions, including felonies and misdemeanors, can’t be expunged otherwise under PA law. Additionally, you can’t get a record expunged if you still have any outstanding probation time or other court obligations resulting from that offense, or if you have not met any applicable waiting period requirements. Even if you have crimes that don’t qualify for expungement on your record, you may have options for minimizing the ongoing consequences of these legal troubles. Under Section 9122.1 of the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act, you may be able to petition a court to order “limited access” to a qualifying criminal record, which means that only certain entities, like criminal justice agencies, have access to that information. The state’s Clean Slate Law, passed in 2018, allows for automatic sealing of certain records from most public access after a specified period of time. Sealing is not the same as expungement, but it can help individuals move forward, especially if they may not qualify for expungement. Because eligibility for expungement is very fact-specific, it can be difficult to even determine whether this process of clearing your record is an option for you or whether additional opportunities may be available. Discussing your unique situation with an experienced attorney can provide valuable guidance.

Do you need a lawyer for expungement in PA?

Expungement is a complex legal process. Mistakes at any stage, from initially determining eligibility to completing the paperwork and even presenting your case at a potential hearing, can result in wasted time and money, as well as frustration and disappointment. Although it’s legal to apply for expungement without professional counsel, it’s worth hiring an attorney to guide you through the process and ensure every task is managed correctly from the beginning. Your lawyer can fully assess your eligibility with extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania law and Pittsburgh-area legal procedures, ensure accuracy and completeness of your petition, and represent you in any hearing that may be required.

How long does it take to get a record expunged in PA?

Beyond the completion of all court-ordered obligations (sentences, probation, etc.) and the waiting period established under Pennsylvania law, the expungement process in Pittsburgh typically takes at least several months to complete. In some instances, completing expungement could take over a year. Some factors, such as ensuring that you understand eligibility requirements and correctly completing and submitting all necessary paperwork to the appropriate court, are within your control. Other factors, such as the court’s schedule, are not. Recognizing that every single day during which your past record continues to limit your present opportunities counts, attorney Samir Hadeed is committed to guiding clients through the expungement process as efficiently as possible. His help early on in the process and throughout each stage of expungement can facilitate the smoothest, most streamlined path forward possible.

Pittsburgh Expungement Lawyer | Expungement Attorney Pittsburgh PA

Take the First Step Toward Clearing Your Record With the Support of an Expungement Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

As long as a prior charge of violating the law remains on your criminal record, it can keep impacting your future. In Pennsylvania, past brushes with the law can appear on background checks even if you were never convicted, effectively shutting you out of personal and professional opportunities. This reality often seems unfair, especially if you have stayed out of trouble ever since that incident. If you’re eligible, a Pittsburgh expungement lawyer can guide you through a legal process that allows you to clear your record.

At Hadeed Law, attorney Samir Hadeed has seen firsthand the difference that expungement can make in the lives of clients he assists. By providing full-service support for the expungement process from start to finish, he ensures that anyone who is eligible to have their record cleared in Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania has the guidance they need to manage the process successfully.

A free expungement consultation is available, which means that it costs you nothing to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney and determine whether you’re eligible to get your criminal record cleared. Contact Hadeed Law today to get started.

Legal Misdeed? Call Hadeed for Help Clearing Your Record in Pittsburgh, PA

A longtime champion of the rights of defendants in the legal process and of favorable outcomes for the clients he serves, criminal defense attorney Samir Hadeed is devoted to helping individuals face life after criminal charges from the best possible position.

As a dedicated expungement attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, Mr. Hadeed will:

Assess your eligibility for the expungement process or any other form of record clearing or access sealing under Pennsylvania law
Diligently prepare your petition for expungement, outlining the statutory basis for granting the petition and the details of your case
File the petition on your behalf in the appropriate Court of Common Pleas (in Allegheny County, Westmoreland County, Butler County, Washington County, Indiana County, or elsewhere in Western Pennsylvania)
Advise you on what to expect as the District Attorney’s office reviews your petition
If required, represent you in a court hearing and present your case before the judge
After a judge grants an expungement order, ensure that all parties comply by erasing or destroying the expunged
records within the appropriate time frame

The expungement process can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to stumble through it on your own. Experienced help can streamline each step, bringing you closer to an outcome that provides for a better future.

Understanding the Expungement Process in Pittsburgh, PA

Expungement is an important legal process that supports second chances for defendants. When a judge grants an order of expungement, eligible criminal records are removed so that they no longer appear on most background checks.

Expungement Eligibility in Pennsylvania

Only certain prior legal issues are eligible for expungement under Pennsylvania law. Generally, for expungement to be considered, you must not have been in any further legal trouble since the incident that produced the record you’re seeking to have expunged. You may also have to meet certain waiting period requirements, which may begin from the date of conviction or the date that all court obligations (including prison sentences and probation terms) are met.

In Pittsburgh, most expungement cases involve circumstances like the following:

Charges of any offense or grade that were dismissed or withdrawn by the court or the prosecutor
Charges of any offense or grade that went to trial and resulted in acquittals, or not-guilty verdicts
Charges for which you entered into an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program and successfully completed all conditions
Charges (typically involving drug possession) for which you entered into a Section 17 Disposition program and completed probation
Certain minor violations that constitute summary offenses, including underage drinking and disorderly conduct, under what’s known as single summary expungement
Convictions of misdemeanor or felony offenses when committed by a juvenile, which can be petitioned for expungement (although not granted automatically) after the defendant turns 18
Convictions of misdemeanor or felony offenses committed by an individual who is now at least 70 years old and has not been arrested or prosecuted for at least 10 years after release from incarceration, parole, or probation
Convictions of misdemeanor or felony offenses committed by an individual who has been deceased for at least three years (generally petitioned for by their family or estate)

Most adult convictions, including felonies and misdemeanors, are not expungeable except under narrow exceptions, typically occurring under circumstances in which the defendant is 70 or older or is deceased. Even for juvenile offenders, individuals over 70, and the families or estates of deceased individuals, expungement is not guaranteed. A petition can be denied by the court, which considers multiple factors. Denial most often occurs in cases involving serious offenses.

Eligibility for expungement under Pennsylvania law is complicated. Other paths, such as petitioning for limited public access to records or attaining a pardon, may be available in certain circumstances. The best way to determine eligibility in your specific circumstances is to go over every aspect of your record with a Pittsburgh expungement lawyer who is experienced in successfully getting clients’ criminal records cleared.

What to Expect From the Expungement Process

Expungement is a multistep process, which is one reason professional guidance is so valuable. At every stage, there are questions that can arise, challenges to overcome, and the potential for mistakes that could prevent you from getting your record cleared successfully.

From the initial step of obtaining your full criminal history report through the Pennsylvania State Police to the formal filing of your petition for expungement and, potentially, a court hearing before a judge, it helps to have an experienced attorney guiding you through the legal process.

The Benefits of Clearing Your Record

If you’re like many of the clients Hadeed Law helps through the expungement process, you’ve recognized that having a criminal charge on your record has cost you opportunities, such as:

Difficulty finding new or better employment because this past legal issue appears whenever a potential employer runs a background check
Lack of acceptance into educational programs that could help you build a better future because of your criminal history
Inability to obtain professional licensing you would otherwise be qualified for as a result of having prior legal issues
Trouble finding housing due to this charge appearing on background checks run by prospective landlords

If you’re eligible, clearing your record through expungement can stop these unfortunate circumstances from repeating. Once your record is expunged, it is, in most circumstances, as though this past legal issue never happened, although law enforcement agencies and certain other entities may retain limited access to this information.

Mistakes an Experienced Expungement Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, Can Help You Avoid

Expungement isn’t a process you should take on without careful consideration and preparation. Common mistakes in trying to get your record expunged without the benefits of professional legal guidance include:

Failing to obtain or fully understand your criminal history report
Incorrectly judging your eligibility for expungement, including the types of records that can be expunged or the completion of court obligations and waiting period requirements
Failing to file your petition for expungement in the correct court (generally, the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you previously faced criminal charges)
Improperly preparing your petition, including leaving out case details, failing to present compelling reasons for the court to grant expungement, and not knowing the statutory basis that supports granting your petition
Not being prepared to effectively present your case before a judge during a court hearing, if required
Not remembering to request a certified copy of the expungement order or to proactively ensure compliance with the court order within a reasonable time frame

These mistakes can prevent you from getting your record cleared promptly (or at all) or from reaping the full benefits of expungement, so it’s important that you avoid making them whenever possible. For help with ARD expungement, single summary expungement, juvenile record expungement, and more, give yourself the advantage of professional support and legal guidance. Let Samir Hadeed handle the legal process for you as your Pittsburgh expungement lawyer.

How Hadeed Law Can Help

As an experienced criminal defense attorney as well as a Pittsburgh expungement lawyer, Samir Hadeed has a comprehensive understanding of Pennsylvania law and court procedures in Western PA. This knowledge supports his clients’ efforts to clear their records through the expungement process.

Because he defends clients against numerous types of criminal charges and seeks outcomes like dismissals of cases, entry into pretrial diversion programs, and not-guilty trial verdicts, Mr. Hadeed knows all the legal nuances needed to determine eligibility. His calculated legal defense strategies often take into account the possibility of future expungement as well as the immediate consequences his clients are facing.

Why Choose Hadeed Law as Your Pittsburgh Expungement Lawyer?

In handling expungement cases, Hadeed Law offers the benefits of effective legal skills, extensive knowledge of criminal law, and a meticulous approach to preparing petitions and hearing representation.

Carefully Cultivated Skills in Presenting Strong Arguments

Your petition for expungement is your argument for granting the order to clear your record, paving the way for a better future. You need to make sure every aspect of your argument is legally sound, supported with details from your case and Pennsylvania statutes, and compelling enough to overcome challenges. In some cases, the court will require a hearing, where you must present your case before the judge. Having a trial lawyer who is used to delivering arguments in the courtroom helps support the success of your expungement case.

Comprehensive Knowledge of Criminal Defense Law

To understand the expungement process, you also need a detailed understanding of criminal law. Your lawyer must be able to make sense of numerous nuances in terms of the types and grades of charges involved in your case and what the different potential outcomes mean for expungement eligibility. Hadeed Law provides criminal defense services for clients charged with a variety of offenses, including assault, robbery and burglary, domestic violence offenses, gun crimes, drug crimes, DUI, and more, ensuring an extensive background in criminal legal knowledge.

Methodical Case Preparation to Support Successful Outcomes

Quality preparation gives your case the strongest possible foundation. Attorney Samir Hadeed methodically builds cases based on thorough investigation and documentation, arguments crafted with legal nuances and case-specific facts in mind, and attention to detail. His diligent case preparation is as valuable in expungement matters as it is in developing effective criminal defense strategies for the courtroom.

Contact a Pittsburgh Expungement Lawyer at Hadeed Law Today for a Free Case Review

It’s time to stop wondering about whether it’s possible to clear your criminal record and start exploring your options. A free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney can help you clarify your path forward and take the first step toward a clean slate.

For help from an expungement attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, contact Hadeed Law online or call 412-275-5413 today.

Pittsburgh Expungement Lawyer