Expunge or Seal Old Criminal Records

When you're arrested or charged with an offense, a criminal record is created, even if you're found not guilty. Your criminal records can be read by the public, including your family, friends, employers, trade organizations, banks, and credit agencies. 

To have your record erased or hidden you must file a Request to Expunge and/or Seal Criminal Records with the court and have a judge approve your Request. There are 3 ways to clear your criminal record:

• Expungement: Erases arrests and court supervisions from your criminal record so it is like they never happened. Qualified Probations are only sealed by the State Police but are erased by the arresting agency. 
• Sealing: Hides your criminal record from most of the public. Law enforcement agencies can still see sealed records. Employers required by law to conduct background checks can see sealed felony convictions. They cannot see sealed misdemeanor convictions or cases not resulting in convictions unless the employer is a law enforcement agency. 
• Executive Clemency: If you do not qualify for expungement or sealing, you can apply for a pardon from the Governor forgiving you for your criminal convictions. A pardon does not erase or hide your conviction on its own. If you get a pardon authorizing expungement, you can then apply to have your record expunged.