Pennsylvania Clean Slate Sealing Attorneys
Last updated: May 2026
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law (18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9122.2 and 9122.3, as expanded by Act 36 of 2023) automatically seals many summary offenses, qualifying misdemeanors, and certain non-violent felonies after a conviction-free waiting period. Automatic sealing does not destroy the record — it hides it from public view, including from most private employers, landlords, and background-check companies. Where automatic sealing has not occurred or does not apply, a petition for limited-access sealing under § 9122.1 or a full expungement under § 9122 may be available.
What Clean Slate seals automatically
Under Act 36 of 2023 and its predecessors, the courts automatically seal: summary offenses after 5 conviction-free years; many second-degree and third-degree misdemeanors after 7 years; and a defined list of non-violent third-degree felonies after 10 years. Pardoned offenses are also automatically sealed. The petitioner does not file anything — the AOPC and the courts identify and seal eligible records on a rolling basis.
When you still need to file
You generally need to file a petition if: your case is outside the auto-seal eligibility list, your record predates the data the Clean Slate system can match against, you want full expungement (record destroyed, not just hidden), you have outstanding restitution that must first be paid, or your prior automatic-sealing review missed your case. A Pennsylvania expungement attorney can pull your record from the PATCH system, confirm what was sealed, and file the appropriate petition for anything that was missed.
What sealing means for you
Once sealed, the record is hidden from most public records searches and from most private employer and landlord background checks. You may lawfully answer that the conviction did not occur on most employment and housing applications, with limited exceptions for certain regulated occupations (healthcare, education, law enforcement) and federal-government positions. Law enforcement and the courts retain access to sealed records for limited official purposes.
Cost and timing
Automatic sealing has no cost. Petition-based sealing or expungement typically involves a court filing fee around $132, a Pennsylvania State Police processing fee of $22, and any attorney fees. Attorney fees vary by county and case complexity — ask any attorney you contact for a written quote before retaining them. We do not set or estimate attorney fees and do not collect referral fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clean Slate sealing automatic?
For eligible records, yes. The courts and the AOPC identify qualifying summaries, misdemeanors, and certain non-violent felonies and seal them on a rolling basis without any filing by the individual.
How do I check if my record was sealed?
Pull your record from the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. If a record you expected to be sealed still appears, an attorney can review whether the case qualifies and, if so, file a petition or contact AOPC for correction.
What is the difference between sealing and expungement?
Sealing hides the record from most public view but preserves it for limited official use. Expungement destroys the record entirely. Pennsylvania allows full expungement only for limited categories — non-convictions, ARD completion, pardoned offenses, summary offenses ≥ 5 years old, and most cases for individuals 70 or older with 10 conviction-free years.
Does sealing restore my firearm rights?
No. Firearms-rights restoration in Pennsylvania is a separate process governed by state and federal law. Sealing or expunging the underlying conviction does not by itself restore firearm rights stripped by a felony.
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