If you have a conviction for a non-traffic summary offense in Pennsylvania, you may be wondering if you can get the records of the case expunged. Fortunately, in most cases, you can take steps to get the court to expunge the summary citation and have it removed from your record. As an experienced Pennsylvania summary offense expungement lawyer, I can help you get your record cleared and restore your personal and professional opportunities.
Why It is Critical to Expunge Your PA Summary Offense Criminal Record
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, over 77 million Americans, or one out of 3 adults, have a criminal record. A person with a criminal history will often have difficulty finding employment in Pennsylvania or other parts of the United States. As a result, many job seekers with a criminal record will have fewer employment opportunities and settle for lower-paying and lower-skilled jobs.
In addition, a criminal record can affect many other aspects of your life in a negative way. Therefore, it is essential to take the necessary steps to expunge your summary offense and clear your record.
A Summary Offense Record Can Severely Damage Your Reputation
A conviction or citation for disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, harassment, retail theft, or trespass carries a negative social stigma in society. An employer or another person in a position of authority may use a person’s summary conviction record to draw unfair conclusions about their character.
Even a Record for a Minor Offense Can Limit Your Employment Prospects
Today’s job market is extremely competitive. For company liability and other reasons, hiring managers take a close look at the background of all potential employees. Unfortunately, many employers will use a summary offense criminal record to deny employment to someone otherwise qualified for the job. In most cases, the prospective employer will not admit you were denied employment due to your criminal record.
A conviction for a criminal summary citation may make it difficult for you to find employment in law enforcement, healthcare, finance, retail, or even a ride sharing company.
Contact a Pennsylvania Summary Offense Expungement Attorney
I have over a decade of experience helping people navigate the Pennsylvania summary offense expungement process in Bucks County, Montgomery County and the surrounding Pennsylvania Counties. Contact me at (215) 752-5282 for a free initial consultation or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response. Also, appointments are available during the weekend and after weekday business hours.
What is a Pennsylvania Non-Traffic Summary Offense?
A Pennsylvania non-traffic summary citation is a minor criminal charge that does not involve a violation of Pennsylvania’s traffic laws. If a judge found you guilty of a non-traffic summary charge, you probably paid a fine and court costs through the mail to the local magisterial district court. In almost all cases, you never appeared in court.
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When Can a Non-Traffic Summary Offense be Expunged in PA?
You can petition the court for expungement of a non-traffic summary citation in the following circumstances:
- The magisterial district judge found you not guilty of the summary offense
- The magisterial district judge withdrew or dismissed the summary offense
- You were found guilty of the summary offense, 5 years have passed, you have paid the court costs and fines, and you have remained arrest free
- The court of common pleas judge found you not guilty of the summary offense after a summary appeal
- You pled guilty or a judge found you guilty of underage drinking, you were 18 years of age or older, you are now 21 years of age, and you have satisfied all the conditions of the sentence
- You pled guilty or a court found you guilty of underage drinking, you are 18 years of age or older, and you were convicted of underage drinking as a minor (under age 18), 6 months have passed, and you have completed all of the conditions of your sentence
Have you been charged or convicted of a summary offense? Please do not hesitate to contact me for a free consultation. I can provide detailed information about the expungement process and how I can help you.
Can a Public Intoxication Ticket be Expunged?
Yes. If the judge dismissed the citation, found you not guilty, or if the police withdrew the charge. You are also eligible for summary public intoxication expungement if you were convicted of the offense and 5 years have gone by, and you have remained out of trouble with the police and paid off the court fines and costs.
Minors and persons under 21 years of age are not required to wait five years for court expungement if they are convicted of public intoxication.
What is the Process for Expungement of a Summary Offense in Pennsylvania?
In most Pennsylvania Counties, the summary expungement process takes place in the following stages:
- The expungement lawyer files a Petition for Summary Expungement with the county clerk of courts
- The district attorney has 30 days to object, consent, or take no action on the Summary Expungement Petition
- Within 45 days of the filing of the Summary Expungement Petition, the judge shall:
- Grant the expungement petition
- Deny the expungement petition
- Schedule a hearing on the expungement petition
What Happens at the Expungement Hearing?
If the judge schedules a hearing, the Petitioner and the District Attorney can present legal argument and evidence in favor or against the summary offense expungement request. At the conclusion of the expungement hearing, the judge will either grant or deny the petition. If the judge grants the expungement petition, the court must enter a written order directing expungement of your criminal records.
Contact a PA Summary Offense Expungement Lawyer
I have considerable experience with the Pennsylvania summary offense expungement process in Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, and the neighboring Pennsylvania Counties. Contact me at (215) 752-5282 for a free initial consultation or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day.
