Pennsylvania Senate Bill No. 166 was signed into law on February 16, 2016, which seals certain criminal record information from public release. The change to the law allows a person who has been free from arrest or criminal charges for the last 10 years to file a Petition with the Court for limited access to their prior convictions. The new law only limits access to certain non-violent misdemeanors of the second and third degrees.
Under the new Pennsylvania law, after an Order is entered, only law enforcement agencies would be entitled to information regarding prior criminal convictions. The information would be removed from all public access, including online sources. Of course, there are limitations, and a person should consult with an attorney prior to filing such a Petition with the Court. The law goes into effect in November of 2016.
