How to Get a Pennsylvania Juvenile Criminal Record Expunged or Expunged

Having a criminal record can seriously ruin your life. It can prevent you from having a job, getting into the college of your choice, joining the Armed Forces, or working in certain professions such as a teacher, child care provider, or lawyer. As far as you have a record and it can be done, it is advisable to delete it as soon as possible.

Juvenile criminal records are not automatically expunged once the offender is no longer subject to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. To have the records expunged, the offender files a Petition for Expungement with the Juvenile Court in the county in which the crime was committed. A hearing is then scheduled before a judge to determine whether the cancellation request should be granted. The court will order the removal of the records if:

1. The original charges were dismissed or not proven to be true.

2. Six months have passed since the successful completion of a consent decree (a pre-trial program in which the case will be dropped if the offender successfully completes the terms and conditions established by a juvenile judge or teacher).

3. Five years have elapsed since the offender was released from the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court and no other charges have been filed against the offender.

In addition, the petition may be granted in circumstances where less than five years have elapsed. The court may order records to be expunged when the offender is over 18 years of age and the district attorney consents to the expungement. Before ordering the expungement, the judge must weigh factors such as the seriousness of the crime, the age of the offender, any other adult and juvenile criminal history, the adverse consequences to the minor if the expungement is not granted, and the public’s interest in have the records kept.