Pennsylvania Misdemeanor Sealing Attorneys
Last updated: May 2026
Most second-degree and third-degree misdemeanor convictions in Pennsylvania are eligible for sealing — either automatically under Clean Slate after 7 conviction-free years (under Act 36 of 2023), or by petition under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 after a shorter waiting period. First-degree misdemeanors are generally not eligible for automatic sealing but may qualify for petition-based limited-access sealing under the same statute.
Petition-based misdemeanor sealing
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1, a petition for limited-access sealing can be filed for qualifying second- and third-degree misdemeanors after 10 conviction-free years from completion of sentence (and for some first-degree misdemeanors with prosecutor agreement). The petition is filed in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the case originated. All court costs, fines, and restitution must be paid in full before filing.
What sealing does
Sealing under § 9122.1 removes the record from most public view, including standard private-employer and landlord background checks. The record remains available to law enforcement, the courts, and a defined list of state agencies and regulated professions. You may lawfully answer that the conviction did not occur on most employment and housing applications, with documented exceptions for healthcare, education, law enforcement, and federal positions.
Cost and timing
Court filing fee: about $132. Pennsylvania State Police processing fee: $22. Most counties take 3 to 6 months from filing to order. Attorney fees vary widely by county and case complexity — get a written quote from any attorney you contact. ExpungeReady does not collect referral fees and lists licensed attorneys for informational purposes only.
Frequently asked questions
Can a DUI misdemeanor be sealed in Pennsylvania?
A DUI conviction that was a second- or third-degree misdemeanor may be eligible for limited-access sealing under § 9122.1 after the statutory waiting period. A first-offense DUI under the ARD program (where ARD was successfully completed) is typically eligible for expungement, not just sealing. An attorney can review your specific case.
How long after my sentence ends do I have to wait?
For petition-based limited-access sealing under § 9122.1, the waiting period is generally 10 conviction-free years after the completion of sentence. Clean Slate automatic sealing under Act 36 of 2023 uses a 7-year window for qualifying misdemeanors.
Will the misdemeanor still show up on a federal background check?
Federal background checks (FBI fingerprint checks for federal employment, certain firearms purchases, and some healthcare or financial-services roles) may still access sealed Pennsylvania records. State-level checks and private background-check companies are required to suppress sealed records.
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