A criminal record can have an awful impact on your quality of life, leaving you to deal with repeated rejections from potential employers and landlords. Unfortunately, the difficulties don’t end there; the personal cost can also be extensive, as you deal with feelings of shame or embarrassment.
Thankfully, it is possible to wipe the slate clean and start anew, with a future full of promise. An expungement could be your ticket to a better life, and it can be surprisingly easy to obtain. Look to Kelly, Goodman and Tillger for assistance through all phases of the expungement process. The firm’s talented team has helped numerous Pennsylvania residents obtain expungements.
Expungement Basics
An expungement is not the same as having your record sealed, but it does make it more difficult for employers, apartment management companies, and others to access your criminal record. Once your record is expunged, it cannot be accessed by those completing routine record checks.
Expungement Eligibility
Not all alleged offenders are eligible for expungement. If you have been convicted of committing a severe felony, you will, in all likelihood, not qualify for expungement. However, if you appeared in court and were not convicted, your chances of qualifying for expungement are good. Likewise, expungement is available for convicted individuals with certain crimes on their records. For example, if the offender remains crime-free for five years after committing a summary offense, expungement is likely. Expungement is also common for those convicted of first-time drug or DUI offenses. In some cases, the alleged offender may be able to secure expungement if a pardon is granted.
Expungement and Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition
Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program allows anyone with a minimal criminal background an easier path to expungement. Program candidates must agree to several stipulations, such as remaining crime-free, paying restitution, and, in some cases, completing drug or alcohol treatment programs.
Kelly, Goodman and Tillger: Expungement in East Norriton, Pennsylvania
Whether your goal is to find the job of your dreams or simply feel better about yourself, you can achieve it with the help of an expungement lawyer. Reach out to Kelly, Goodman and Tillger to determine whether you’re eligible for expungement and how you can proceed. They will work hard to ensure that you can move on with your life.