When Can a Juvenile Record be Expunged in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law allows certain juvenile records to be expunged including cases involving summary, misdemeanor and felony offenses. Pennsylvania’s juvenile expungement law is found under 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 9123. Individuals may petition for expungement of their juvenile records under the following circumstances:
- A formal juvenile complaint was filed which turned out to be unsubstantiated.
- A formal juvenile complaint was filed but was dismissed by the court.
- Six months have elapsed since the individual has successfully completed an informal adjustment and no adjudication proceeding is currently pending.
- Six months have elapsed since the individual’s final discharge from supervision under a consent decree or other juvenile diversion program and no new juvenile or adult charges are pending.
- You are 18 years of age or older and:
- You were convicted of underage drinking while under the age of 18; and:
- Six months have elapsed since completion of the case: and
- All conditions of the case have been completed including any suspension of driving privileges
- You were 18 years of age or older and;
- You were convicted of a summary offense; and
- Six months have elapsed since completion of the case; and
- All conditions of the case have been completed; and
- No felony or misdemeanor convictions since completion of the case; and
- No juvenile or adult charges are pending.
- Five years have elapsed since the discharge of the individual from commitment, placement or probation in the case and the individual has not been charged or convicted any new offenses.
- The prosecutor consents to the expungement after considering the type of offense, background of the petitioner, potential hardship to the petitioner and public safety reasons for preserving the records.
Individuals who were 14 years of age or older and adjudicated delinquent for certain sexual offenses or other serious felony crimes are not eligible for juvenile expungement.
Ways in Which a Juvenile Record Can Hurt Your Future
A juvenile court record can have a negative impact many different areas of your life including:
- Becoming employed in a job in your chosen profession
- Gaining admission into the college or graduate school of your choice
- Working in the law enforcement or healthcare fields
- Getting into the military
- Receiving professional licensure or certification
- Receiving educational financial aid
- Lawfully possessing a firearm
Contact a PA Juvenile Record Expungement Attorney
A juvenile record can have a devastating effect on many different aspects of a young person’s personal and professional life. I am very experienced in the juvenile expungement procedure in Montgomery County, Bucks County, Delaware County, Chester County and the neighboring Pennsylvania Counties. Contact me to get the juvenile expungement process started and clear your record.
Phone lines are open 24 hours a day at (215) 752-5282. Contact me for a free initial consultation or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response.
