Expungement Lawyer in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania

A single mistake shouldn't define your life, but a criminal record will often impact your ability to pursue meaningful opportunities, such as gainful employment, housing, and education. If you have been convicted of a crime in the past, you may be able to explore expungement to start over and build a better future, depending on the crime.

At Hinderliter LLC, our attorney is dedicated to helping individuals with a criminal history clear their records and restore their reputations. From our firm in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Philadelphia County, Chester County, Montgomery County, Lancaster County, Bucks County & Berks County. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and reclaim your life.

How the Pennsylvania Clean Slate Act Affects You

If you have a criminal history, state-specific legislation dictates how you can clear your name. Under the Pennsylvania Clean Slate Act, certain non-violent convictions, including summary offenses, misdemeanors, and low-level drug felonies, are automatically sealed after a designated waiting period (usually a couple of years).

While automatic sealing can help many people, it differs greatly from true expungement. While sealing hides your record from most public background checks, law enforcement agencies will still have access to it. A complete expungement completely erases your eligible criminal record as if the offense never happened.

In Pennsylvania, you can typically expunge non-convictions, dropped charges, and certain summary offenses. If you completed an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, you will also likely be eligible to destroy those records.

Having an old arrest pop up during a background check can significantly impact your chances at a new career. By clearing your criminal history, you can regain a competitive edge in the job market. Additionally, your housing options will expand significantly once you erase past charges. Landlords routinely deny applicants with any criminal history, but clearing your record can help you apply for better opportunities.

Our Services for Record Expungement

At Hinderliter LLC, we provide a wide range of legal services to protect your rights and your future. We focus heavily on criminal defense strategies designed to protect your permanent record and to pursue expungement wherever possible. The primary types of crimes we can pursue expungement for in Pennsylvania include the following:

• Non-convictions: We can help you seek an expungement if you were charged with a crime but were never convicted because the charge was withdrawn, dismissed, or resulted in a "not-guilty" verdict from the jury.

• Diversion programs: First-time non-violent offenders who successfully complete a diversion program, such as the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, may be eligible to have their records expunged.

• Summary offenses: We can seek expungement of certain minor, non-violent offenses, such as traffic violations or disorderly conduct, typically five years after you were convicted, so long as you have not been arrested or charged again.

• Age-based expungement: Persons over the age of 70 may petition the court for expungement if they have not been arrested or charged with a crime within 10 years following their release from jail or a previous conviction.

Generally, convictions for DUI, high-profile drug offenses, violent crimes, or property crimes are ineligible for expungement in Pennsylvania. If you have an existing criminal record, reach out to our attorney, Christopher Hinderliter, for experienced representation in pursuing expungement today.

Why Hire Our Expungement Attorneys

One small error on your expungement petition will typically result in an immediate rejection from the judge. Since expungement can have a considerable impact on your future, it's important to work with an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney who understands how the court system operates.

At Hinderlite LLC, we will evaluate your entire criminal history to determine your eligibility for expungement under current state laws. Our firm will handle the heavy lifting of gathering all necessary court documents, filing your petitions, and serving the appropriate district attorney. Sometimes, the district attorney may decide to object to your petition to clear your record. When this happens, we will argue on your behalf at the hearing.

Many people assume their records will disappear automatically after they pay a fine or complete probation. Unfortunately, the court system requires you to take affirmative steps to clear most charges. Our firm can guide you through these steps and keep you updated on the status of your petition.

We will also work with you to identify any overlapping issues that could interfere with clearing your record. Sometimes outstanding fines stall your progress in the courts. Our goal is to help you resolve these roadblocks quickly and preserve your eligibility to pursue meaningful expungement.

Contact Our Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney for Expungement

A criminal record can follow you for years and impact your ability to maintain employment, pursue education, and obtain housing. If you were convicted of a crime in the past, you may be able to have your record expunged.

At Hinderliter LLC, we can help you obtain a clean slate from certain criminal offenses so a past mistake doesn't impact your future opportunities. Located in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Philadelphia County, Chester County, Montgomery County, Lancaster County, Bucks County & Berks County. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options.