Having a criminal record can have lasting consequences for your future, making it difficult to find employment and limiting your housing options. For some people, the expungement process could provide relief by restricting access to these public records.
In many ways, you can move forward in life as if you were never convicted at all. Our dedicated team of defense attorneys at Benjamin Levine Law may be able to help you clear your name through the expungement process. Contact our Butler expungement lawyer to help you understand your options and begin the legal process of sealing your criminal records.
Expungement involves the permanent destruction of a criminal record. It removes any reference to the records entirely, giving you a genuine chance at a fresh start. With a conviction no longer on your record, you improve your chances of finding suitable housing or employment.
Unfortunately, there are strict eligibility requirements that come with this process. If you were convicted of a crime, you are generally not eligible for expungement until you have reached the age of 70 and have not been arrested or prosecuted in the past 10 years. There are some additional exceptions, including people who have not been arrested or prosecuted in the five years since they received a summary conviction for a lesser offense. Our Butler expungement attorney can review your situation, explain your eligibility, and guide you through the process of clearing your record.
In addition to expungement, Pennsylvania has adopted a process known as Limited Access. Under the Limited Access Law, you could have the opportunity to remove your criminal records from public view. While your criminal records are not destroyed, restricting public access still improves your chances of securing employment, housing, or an education.
There are specific crimes that are eligible under the Limited Access Law. Second- and third-degree misdemeanors generally qualify. You can also potentially use this option for upgraded offenses, so long as they carry a maximum sentence of two years or less.
While Limited Access has the same general goal as expungement, this option is not as far-reaching. Law enforcement and certain other government agencies retain access to your records and can use them for investigative purposes. That said, it is a strong option for anyone who is not eligible for expungement. Our seasoned team of lawyers in Butler can help you determine whether Limited Access or expungement is the right path for your situation.
There are many reasons why clearing your record could benefit you. Expungement may provide better employment opportunities, giving you the chance to advance your career without worry of negative biases from potential employers. Most employers run background checks, and a conviction may negatively impact your chances of being hired. When your record is expunged, your conviction will no longer show up on a background check.
Having a criminal record can also limit your housing options. As with employers, potential landlords will also run background checks to see if applicants have any criminal convictions. Having a clean record could increase opportunities during your next apartment search.
Finally, expungement can offer you peace of mind by sealing highly sensitive records from difficult moments in your life. Public access to these records can be stressful and upsetting, and sealing this information can help you move forward. Our expungement lawyers in Butler could guide you through the legal process, helping you get the fresh start you deserve.
If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime in the past, our attorneys may be able to help you obtain a clean record. Our Butler expungement lawyer could review your case to determine whether expungement is an option.
Call today for a private consultation with our firm to learn more about the process of clearing your criminal record. Because every member of our legal team is a former prosecutor, we understand how criminal records are built, and how to best dismantle them. Let us use that insight to your advantage.