Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill allowing ex-offenders to keep minor crimes off the public record

Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill Tuesday that will let ex-offenders who have stayed out of trouble for 10 years after a conviction for most second- or third-degree misdemeanors petition courts to have records of the old crime sealed.

News Story (Pennsylvania)

Charles Thompson
February 16, 2016
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Tags: Criminal Records, Expungement / Record Sealing

Organizations mentioned/involved: Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia


DETAILS

Advocates for ex-offenders said the measure, Senate Bill 166, is the single-best thing policy-makers could do for their clients.

Until now, crime records could only be expunged for summary offenses, misdemeanors after a person had reached age 70 with 10 years since the last arrest, and a few other crimes like underage drinking.

Beyond that, residents seeking to clear their name had to make appeals to the state Board of Pardons.