News from the Pennsylvania General Assembly

July 14, 2009
By The Associated Press

EXPUNGING RECORDS: The House voted 104-91 for a bill to make it easier for people to have some misdemeanor crimes expunged from their criminal records. Those who have not been arrested or prosecuted during the prior seven years can ask a county judge to expunge third-degree misdemeanors, instead of having to go to the state Board of Pardons. Expungement petitions would carry a $100 fee and the judge would have to consider the type of crime involved, how it affected victims, the state's interest in maintaining a record of the crime and the applicant's age, criminal background and job history. The new expungment procedure would not be available for crimes that carry more than a year in jail, or for people who have been convicted of at least four offenses punishable by up to a year in jail. Ineligible would be convictions for simple assault, indecent assault, cruelty to animals, drunken driving, endangering a police officer and sex-offense defendants who are subject to Megan's Law. Most of the "yes" votes were cast by Democrats. It was sent to the Senate. (House Bill 264)

By The Associated Press
Posted Monday, August 3, 2009

 E-mail this page
 Printer-friendly page