Clean Slate 3.0 expands record-sealing eligibility in Pennsylvania starting Feb. 12, 2024

Starting Feb. 12, 2024, more Pennsylvania residents with criminal records will have more chances for a fresh start. The new law expands record-sealing, and shortens the timeframe. Record-sealing helps people get better opportunities for jobs, housing & education.

Sealed records do not need to be disclosed, unless required by federal law.

The new law, in brief

Some low-level drug and property-related felony convictions may be sealed if 10 years have passed, with no misdemeanor or felony convictions for 10 years.

Many misdemeanor convictions may be sealed if 7 years have passed, with no misdemeanor or felony convictions for 7 years.

Summary convictions will be sealed automatically after 5 years, with no current criminal charges. (starts June 11, 2024)

What is record-sealing?

A sealed record cannot be seen on most background checks (except FBI).

If a conviction is not sealed automatically, a petition must be filed in court. Legal Aid of Southeastern PA may be able to help low-income residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties with this process.

Low-level felony convictions which may be sealed after 10 years:

• Many drug crimes with shorter sentences
• Theft, including retail theft and receiving stolen property
• Trespass
• Forgery & fraud, including access/device fraud, bad checks, ID theft & welfare fraud
• Criminal mischief
• Conspiracy to commit an eligible crime

Misdemeanor convictions which may be sealed after 7 years:

• Recklessly endangering another person
• Simple assault
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Disorderly conduct
• Resisting arrest
• Harassment
• Terroristic threats
• Possession of an instrument of a crime
• Prostitution

Summary convictions will be sealed automatically after 5 years, starting in June 2024.

Expungement process in Pennsylvania

Clean Slate 3.0 did not change Pennsylvania’s expungement process. Under the current law, you are eligible for an expungement if you meet these qualifications:

• Only non-conviction charges, including Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), or summary convictions, with no arrests in the past 5 years, can be expunged.
  • Note: misdemeanor and felony convictions cannot be expunged until you are at least 70 years old, unless you first receive a pardon.

  Legal Aid of Southeastern PA may be able to help

  LASP helps low-income people in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties with expungements, pardons, and record-sealing.

  • Call the Helpline at 877-429-5994, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Apply online 24/7 at lasp.org/apply
  • Attend a LASP expungement clinic: lasp.org/events

  More information about Clean Slate 3.0

  • ‘That pressure is being released now’: A newly expanded law is helping people seal their felony records and start fresh: The Clean Slate law was expanded to include certain felony records in December 2023 (by Nate File | Philadelphia Inquirer | Feb. 16, 2024 | https://bit.ly/Inquirer-2-16-2024)
  • Clean Slate 3.0 Enacted into Law - Allows Sealing of Some Old Felony Criminal Records (Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network | Dec. 15, 2023 | https://bit.ly/PLAN-12-15-2023)
  • LASP flyer (2-page PDF): download, print, share