Pennsylvania Felony Sealing Attorneys

Which felonies may qualify

Eligibility under the 2023 expansion is limited to certain third-degree non-violent felonies, including specific drug, property, and economic offenses. The statute and regulatory guidance enumerate the categories. Felonies excluded from sealing include any offense graded F1 or F2, any offense of violence as defined by the Crimes Code, sex offenses requiring registration, offenses involving a victim under 18, and most firearms felonies.

What sealing changes

Sealing hides the record from most private employer and landlord background checks. The record remains visible to law enforcement, the courts, and certain regulated professions. You may lawfully answer that the conviction did not occur on most employment and housing applications, subject to disclosure obligations for specific regulated positions and any federal-government role.

Why an attorney matters here

Felony sealing petitions are technically complex. The petitioner must accurately identify the offense grade, the controlling statute, the disposition, and confirm no disqualifying intervening convictions exist. Prosecutor objections are more common than in misdemeanor sealing. A Pennsylvania expungement attorney can pull the certified docket, confirm eligibility, file the petition, and represent you at any hearing.

How to seal your Pennsylvania felony conviction

1. Verify felony grade and eligibility. Your attorney reviews your felony conviction to confirm it is a qualifying third-degree non-violent felony under Act 36 of 2023. First- and second-degree felonies are not eligible.
2. Confirm 10-year waiting period met. Verify 10 conviction-free years have passed since completion of sentence (including probation and parole). No new convictions during this period are allowed.
3. Obtain certified court records. Request certified copies of the judgment of sentence, docket sheet, and charging documents from the Court of Common Pleas clerk in the county where the conviction occurred.
4. Verify all financial obligations paid. Confirm all court costs, fines, and restitution are paid in full. Outstanding financial obligations block sealing petitions.
5. Pull complete criminal history. Your attorney obtains your Pennsylvania State Police PATCH criminal history to verify no disqualifying intervening convictions exist.
6. File petition for limited-access sealing. Your attorney files the petition under § 9122.1 or § 9122.3 in the Court of Common Pleas. Filing fee is approximately $132 plus $22 State Police processing fee.
7. Serve District Attorney. The petition must be served on the District Attorney. Prosecutor objections are more common for felony petitions than misdemeanor petitions.
8. Wait for court review and hearing. The court reviews the petition and criminal history. Felony sealing petitions typically require a hearing. Most counties take 4-8 months from filing to decision.
9. Present case at hearing. Your attorney presents evidence that you meet all statutory requirements. The court balances your interest in sealing against any public safety concerns.
10. Receive sealing order. If granted, certified copies are sent to the Pennsylvania State Police and all agencies that maintain records. The record is sealed from public view.

Statutes cited

• Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 9122.3 (Act 36 of 2023 - felony sealing) — 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.3
• Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 9122.1 (Petition for limited access) — 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1

Frequently asked questions

Find an expungement attorney in Pennsylvania

Browse verified attorneys in Pennsylvania who handle felony sealing cases. Every listing is built from Pennsylvania State Bar public records.