Under a 2020 PA law, your record may be eligible for sealing even if you still owe court fines and costs. If you owe restitution, you will still need to pay it before your record can be sealed. Previously, all court fines and costs on a case had to be paid before that case could be sealed.
Which charges are eligible for sealing?
When a record is sealed, it is hidden from public view, and in most cases, you can deny it ever happened. The following can be sealed in PA:
- Criminal charges on which you were not convicted (“Dismissed”, “Not Guilty”, “Nolle Prossed”, or dropped charges), even if you were convicted on other charges in the case
- Summary offenses after 10 years
- Most misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without another conviction
Are there any exceptions to this law?
Yes, restitution must still be paid before a record can be sealed. Learn more about court fees, fines and restitution.
Restitution is ordered in about one in four cases so it is important that you look up your record to see if you owe restitution. You can do this by going to the Court of Common Pleas or the Magisterial District Court websites. Click “Participant Name” then enter your full first and last name and any other information you have about your case. Make sure to include a wide date range under the “Date Filed” field. When your cases appear, hover over each case number and click “Docket Sheet”. Fines and costs information can be found at the end of each docket sheet.
If you owe restitution in addition to other fines and costs, seek legal advice about how to pay your restitution without paying the other fines and costs.
How can I get legal help?
You may qualify for a legal aid organization for assistance if you are low-income. You can find a legal aid organization in your county by visiting tinyurl.com/PALegalAid. Others can call the Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 692-7375, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.