FIND A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE

For help with your record, find a legal representative in the county where you were arrested.

You may qualify for free legal aid if you have no or low income. Choose the county of your record to find a legal aid organization:

- - Community Legal Services:
    - - Call (215) 981-3700
  - Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE)
    - - Call (267) 519-5323
      - Apply online at https://www.plsephilly.org/intake/
  - Defender Association of Philadelphia
    - - Apply online at https://phillydefenders.org/expungement/

- - Neighborhood Legal Services:
    - - Walk in M-F, 9-3
      - Call (866) 761-6572, M-F from 9-12
      - Apply online at www.nlsa.us

- - Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania:
    - - Call (877) 429-5994 M-F, 9 – 1
      - Apply online at www.lasp.org, click on the APPLY HERE tab to start the online application process
  - Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE)
    - - Call (267) 519-5323
      - Apply online at https://www.plsephilly.org/intake/
  - Defender Association of Philadelphia
    - - Apply online at https://phillydefenders.org/expungement/

- - Southwestern PA Legal Services:
    - - Walk-in M-F, 8:30-12 and 1-4:30
      - Call (800) 846-0871, M-F, 8:30-12 and 1-4:30
      - Email [email protected]

- - MidPenn Legal Services:
    - - Call (800) 326-4958

- - Northwestern Legal Services:
    - - Call (800) 665-6957 M-F, 9-4
      - Apply online at www.nwls.org

- - North Penn Legal Services:
    - - Call (877) 953-4250
      - Apply online at https://www.northpennlegal.org/get-help

- - Laurel Legal Services:
    - - Call (800) 253-9558 M-F, 8:30-4:30

You can find a legal aid organization or a free record clearing clinic near you at PALawHelp.org.

If you do not qualify for Legal Aid, you can find a private lawyer by calling the Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (LRIS) at (800) 692-7375. This service is available from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Do I need a legal representative?

There may be times when you want to get help from a lawyer for your record. A lawyer can help you understand confusing legal issues and file paperwork for expungement or petition-based sealing. If you are low-income, you may be able to receive free legal help from a Legal Aid organization. If you are not eligible for Legal Aid assistance, you may want to get help from a private lawyer.

You may want to get help from a lawyer:

- - to file a petition to seal or expunge your record.
  - to find out whether you qualify for sealing under Pennsylvania's new expanded rules. Learn more about eligibility.
  - to help get important missing information added to your record, like your disposition (e.g. “Guilty”, “Dismissed”, “Withdrawn”) or grading information (e.g. “M2”, which means second degree misdemeanor).
  - if you have been illegally discriminated against for employment due to your record. Learn more about your rights.