Criminal Record Clearing Clinic Coming To Delco

BROOKHAVEN, PA — State Rep. Leanne Krueger and the Delco Defenders criminal defense team will host a free Criminal Record Clearing Clinic in Brookhaven next month for people with qualifying criminal histories.

The event is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. April 16, at the Brookhaven Municipal Building (2 Cambridge Rd.).

According to the announcement, the clinic is meant to help eligible people clear or seal records that can affect employment, housing and educational opportunities. Krueger said some people with low-level convictions are dealing with long-term consequences from a single offense.

“Many people convicted of low-level, nonviolent offenses are one-time offenders,” Krueger said in a statement. “Yet the impact of that single mistake can follow them into their future, making it harder to access housing, land jobs, and get accepted into educational programs. These are essential to helping our most vulnerable residents build stable lives.”

In Pennsylvania, certain convictions can be cleared from a person’s record if they have met sentencing requirements, stayed free from further arrests and enough time has passed, according to event organizers. Clearing a record removes it completely and may apply to summary offenses such as loitering, low-level retail theft and disorderly conduct.

Records also can be sealed, meaning they wouldn't appear in most background checks. Low-level felony and misdemeanor convictions including reckless endangerment, DUI, resisting arrest and prostitution may be eligible for sealing.

The goal is to help more people find out whether expungement is available to them and begin the process, Krueger says.

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Krueger said. “When someone makes a mistake, learns from it, and tries to make their life better, I believe it’s our duty to help them do it. Expungement is always available under Pennsylvania law, but many people don’t know if it’s an option for them—our hope is that more eligible people will come to this event and start the process.”

To participate in the event, interested parties must:

• have a Delaware County arrest or a case in Delaware County court.
• not be on parole or probation or have current or pending criminal charges.
• meet a needs-based assessment to qualify for the public defender to assist them.

Important information on clearing and sealing:

• Only non-conviction charges, including ARD or summary convictions with no arrests in the past five years, can be cleared.
• Some low-level drug or property-related felony convictions can be sealed if 10 years have passed.
• Many misdemeanor convictions can be sealed after seven years.

People interested in attending are asked to register in advance by calling Krueger’s district office at 610-534-6880. The representative’s office will collect information and share it with the Delaware County Office of the Public Defender, which will follow up to determine whether registrants qualify for record clearing or sealing.

Krueger represents District 161 in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The district includes part of Delaware County.