Expungements
Qualifications and Procedure
A criminal record may be expunged, but only after a Motion for Expungement is filed in the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division and granted by an order of court from the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County.
Under limited circumstances, criminal records may be sealed so that they do not appear in public records.
For further information, please call 412-350-3271.
Expungement Procedure
The Law Regarding Expungement
Records that May be Expunged
Nonconvictions
- Verdict of not guilty
- Dismissal
- Withdrawal of charges
- Nolle prosequi
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)
- Probation Without Verdict pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act (PWV)
Convictions
- Summary offenses, provided the defendant has been free of arrest or prosecution for five (5) years following the conviction for that offense.
Part of a Plea Bargain Package
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)
- For first-time offender, automatically filed by the Allegheny County Department of Adult Probation when all fines and costs have been paid and the defendant successfully completes all of the terms and conditions of the program.
- Exception: A Motion to Expunge was not filed automatically for ARD participants prior to 1990. Therefore, a defendant who completed ARD prior to 1990 must file a motion to expunge.
Probation Without Verdict (PWV)
- For first-time offender, automatically filed by the Allegheny County Department of Adult Probation when all fines and costs have been paid and the defendant successfully completes all of the terms and conditions of the program.
Allegheny Service Institute (ASI) Programs
- Not automatic; the individual who completes the program must file a motion with the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division and pay the filing fee.