It is a very unfair reality that a mere arrest in Pennsylvania can affect your future. Contrary to the well-established legal principle that a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty, an arrest can have the same long-term damaging impact on your reputation and future job prospects as a conviction. Background checks have never been easier and may be used by someone you are dating, a potential employer or a prospective landlord. An arrest is nothing more than an accusation, which may be completely without merit. Many people presume that once the charges against them are dismissed or they are vindicated at trial that they no longer have to worry about their arrest record. Unfortunately, a Pennsylvania arrest may still show up if someone conducts a criminal background check. An experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney may be able to help you remove this blemish.

A criminal arrest record can hurt your employment opportunities, career advancement, educational opportunities and even your personal relationships. An experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney can file a motion/petition to have your arrest record expunged so that charges that were without merit cannot continue to haunt your personal and professional life. Even if the charges against you are 20 years old, an arrest for a felony may still affect you when discovered by a romantic interest, creditor, landlord, educational institution or professional licensing agency. If an arrest is expunged or cleared from your record, you receive a clean slate free of the stigma of your prior criminal arrest. Once an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney has successfully had your prior arrest expunged, you are legally allowed to say that the arrest never occurred on documents such as job applications, rental applications, or for many other purposes.

The expungement process involves filing a motion/petition with the court and sending a copy to the prosecutor’s office within the jurisdiction where your arrest occurred. The court will schedule a hearing where the judge will consider the specific facts of your case and verify your record. Your criminal defense attorney and the prosecutor will be able to make arguments to the court about the appropriateness of having your arrest record expunged.

Unfortunately, a criminal conviction cannot be expunged in Pennsylvania. However, you may be able to obtain a pardon. Pennsylvania’s Board of Pardons processes pardon applications and is empowered pardon a number of crimes. It may be difficult to obtain a pardon but many people in Pennsylvania do so successfully with the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

A person doing a background check need do nothing more than go on the Internet to find information about your criminal record. The availability of your criminal record means that any blemish can have long lasting consequences. Our experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorneys can advise you on whether you are eligible for an expungement or pardon. If you qualify for an expungement or pardon, we will diligently work on your behalf to clear your name and protect your future.

With a focus on thorough preparation, superior client service and dedicated representation, I help families and individuals solve a wide range of DUI and criminal litigation issues.

I will respond to your email submission as promptly as possible. I ask that you consider calling me, Pittsburgh expungements lawyer Michael V. Worgul, directly at 1-412-475-9217 or toll free at 1-855-DUI-CRIM for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.  You will also find out how our practice can be put to work for you.

I look forward to listening to the circumstances of your case and discussing all available options under the law.

Sincerely,

Michael V. Worgul

Michael V. Worgul, Esq., LLC
429 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Toll Free: 1-855-DUI-CRIM
Phone: 412-475-9217
Fax: 412-288-8943