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Not only are you an excellent attorney, but a good person who truly cared about me and always did your best to help me. I am so grateful for being given a second chance. —TomDave Shrager successfully lobbied for my felony charge to be completely withdrawn. His services were worth every dime. A highly personable, intelligent, and competent attorney, I would recommend Dave Shrager to my closest friends and family without hesitation. —RonDave knows the system better than any lawyer in Pittsburgh due to his family's local and long-standing practice, and it was evident in the positive manner in which the judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers responded to Dave's arguments on my behalf. —JimI cannot say thank you enough to David Shrager for all his help today! If it were not for this guy, I would no longer have a job or drivers license. So thanks again Dave, you're the best! —BillI was in a bad place in my life...I was making bad decisions, which led to my having a really bad night and lots of legal trouble. I'm lucky I had Attorney David Shrager at my side. He helped guide me, with his legal expertise, through a very difficult time in my life. —Tamika
Call 412-969-2540 to Speak Directly with Attorney David Shrager 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

Pittsburgh Lawyer – Criminal Record Expungement

Whether or not you are convicted of a crime, if you are arrested you may have a criminal record, unless you ask for it to be expunged. A criminal record can deeply affect your ability to get a job or housing, among other liberties, like joining the military and gun ownership.

Expungement means that the general public (and future employers or college admission departments) will not be able to see to your criminal arrest or conviction record during a routine background check such as an Act 33/34 clearance.

Even if you beat your charges and are not convicted of a crime, you will have a criminal record unless you petition the court for an expungement of your criminal record.

If you have been convicted of a crime like first-time DUI or a summary offense, you may be able to have your criminal record wiped clean, or “expunged”.

Expungement is the equivalent of “it never happened”.

If you are granted expungement of your criminal record, you can answer honestly the question “Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime?” Your record will be wiped clean.

All criminal records remain public until a motion for expungement is filed and granted by the courts. There is a process for having your arrest or criminal record expunged.

A qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney can be of great help throughout the expungement process. If you have questions about getting your criminal record expunged, get a free consultation by calling or texting Attorney David J. Shrager at 412-969-2540 (his personal cell phone).

________________________________________________
DON’T LET A CRIMINAL RECORD
BURDEN YOU FOREVER.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

Why Should I Have My Criminal Record Expunged?

A criminal history limits your trustworthiness in the eyes of many employers, landlords and college admissions personnel. Having your record expunged means your arrest will not appear on background checks – something anyone could find when you are looking for jobs, housing or college.

If you are planning on looking for employment or going to college, having a criminal record of any sort could affect the decision-making process. A criminal record may hurt your chances of gaining employment or being accepted into college or in receiving financial aid for college.

In addition, if your employer or line of work requires you to be bonded, you may also find it difficult to get bonded.

Your ability to obtain a gun permit may also be denied due to a criminal record.

In addition, if you have a criminal record, your reputation is tarnished. Don’t let a criminal record affect your opportunities and self-esteem – Call Attorney Shrager today for a free consultation.

What Does Expungement Mean in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania Law § 9122 certain persons may obtain permission to have their criminal records removed from the files of criminal justice agencies in Pennsylvania.

If you have your record expunged, this means that your criminal records will be sealed.

In Allegheny County, the motion first needs to be filed in the Department of Court Records and then granted by court order from the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County.

________________________________________________
DON’T LET A CRIMINAL RECORD
BURDEN YOU FOREVER.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

What Types of Crimes Can Be Expunged?

Non-Convictions

Even if you win in court and are not convicted of a crime, you may still need to file a motion with the court to have your record expunged. Expungement for non-conviction records is automatic in Pennsylvania after 18 months, but if you have to look for employment or apply to colleges in the meantime, you will want to have an attorney file a court order on your behalf to have your record expunged before then.

Non-convictions include a not-guilty verdict, withdrawal of the charges, a case dismissal or nolle prosequi (do not prosecute). The can also include acceptance and successful completion of the ARD and PWOV programs. (See below for more information.)

Convictions 

The passage of Act 134 in 2008 allows Pennsylvania courts to expunge records of certain offenses that result in conviction.

These may include:

  • A conviction for a summary offense after five years have passed, if the defendant has remained free of arrest or prosecution during that time.
  • Underage drinking offenses
  • First-time drug offenses
  • Violation of probation cases without verdict
  • If a person is over 70 years of age with no arrests in the past 10 years
  • If a person obtains a pardon they qualify for expungement

________________________________________________
DON’T LET A CRIMINAL RECORD
BURDEN YOU FOREVER.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

Expungement and ARD & PWOV

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program in Allegheny County is a probationary program primarily for first time offenders who have been charged with either a DUI or possession of a controlled substance.

The ARD program is NOT a conviction; it allows your criminal record to be expunged after satisfactory completion so you can have a clean criminal record again.

A similar program in Pennsylvania called the Probation Without Verdict (PWOV) program also will result in a full dismissal of your charges and expungement of your criminal record.

If you are unsure as to whether you are eligible, contact Attorney Shrager for a free consultation.

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FREE Legal Consultation

Call or Text 412-969-2540 right now for a FREE initial legal consultation.
Speak directly with David J. Shrager 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Shrager Defense Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA will attack your criminal charges in order to protect your good name. Have a sound and solid case prepared by David J. Shrager and his legal team so they can fight for your rights.