The first phase of Pennsylvania’s new “clean slate” law took effect yesterday, allowing people who have had clean criminal records for the least ten years and have paid their fines and penalties to petition to have their court records for certain crimes sealed.
The law covers nonviolent misdemeanor convictions that carry a sentence of a year or more of incarceration. It does not include more serious felony crimes, such as those involving guns, sexual assaults, rape, murder, kidnapping, child endangerment, or endangering the welfare of children.
Notably, it does include simple assault, driving under the influence, and certain thefts, which are red flags that employers often use to disqualify job candidates.
For now, people must file a petition to have their records sealed. Starting on June 28th, the records will automatically be sealed after ten years.
Sealing of records means the public will not have access, but police and court systems will still be able to see them.
