Tag Archives: expungement
Pennsylvania Governor Seeks to Pardon People With Marijuana Convictions
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf voiced his intention earlier this fall to pardon people with past marijuana convictions, as the state also continues to mull the legalization of recreational marijuana. What would the process of receiving a pardon or an expungement look like, from a practical standpoint? Here’s a quick overview. The possibility of a marijuana […]
Eagles Players Head to Harrisburg to Push Criminal Justice Reform
Philadelphia Eagles players Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Long and Torrey Smith recently traveled to Harrisburg to lobby the state legislature for criminal justice reform. The three are actively involved with The Players Coalition, which, among other things, is active in advocating for reforms to the criminal justice system nationwide. While in front of the legislature, they […]
Protecting Your Record: Expungements in Pennsylvania
Having a criminal record remains a major hurdle to a number of benefits, privileges and opportunities to better your life. It can make it harder to find quality work and good housing, prevent you from becoming professionally licensed, bar you from international travel and restrict your opportunity to attain higher education. In short, even if […]
How to Get Juvenile Records Expunged
When juveniles are convicted of a crime, the stain can follow them throughout their lives. It can affect educational opportunities, credit ratings, the ability to join the military, and the pursuit of job prospects. This can be true even if the information in the files is outdated or just plain wrong. Fortunately, there is a […]
What You Should Know about the Pennsylvania Accelerated Rehabilitative Program (ARD)
Pennsylvania offers a unique Accelerated Rehabilitative Program (ARD) for first-time DUI offenders. The goal of the program is to avoid drawn-out court proceedings — and prevent future offenses — by giving first-time offenders the opportunity to expunge their criminal records through meeting certain court-ordered conditions. These include drug and alcohol counseling, restitution, and community service. […]
Understanding Expungement in Pennsylvania
Mistakes happen. Consequences occur, penalties are paid, and painful incidents retreat into memory. However, criminal records do not. A criminal record eliminates and stalls opportunities like adoption, housing requests, educational and employment offers. In this electronic age, information out there stays out there. In Berks County, and elsewhere in Pennsylvania, we get requests from individuals […]
Debt to Society
Collateral consequences for a criminal record He was convicted of possession of cocaine. A half-gram earned him a felony conviction, six months probation and a $100 fine. That was 25 years ago. Darrell Langdon, a 52-year-old father of two, was offense-free, raised two boys as a single parent, and worked hard ever since. In […]
Coming Clean
Arrest on criminal charges leaves a public trail of documentation. Regardless of whether charges are dismissed or an individual found not guilty, a record of the action remains. In our digital age, even a hint of criminal malfeasance during a background check can eliminate future employment and other opportunities. In Berks County, and throughout Pennsylvania, […]
