(215) 741-1212
Clean Slate Law in Bucks County
Clean Slate lawyer | Located in Doylestown and Newtown, Pennsylvania
Now, residents of Pennsylvania with certain prior convictions may be able to make it happen. All it takes are the services of a criminal defense attorney serving Bucks County, and a little personal knowledge of your own. Here are some answers to questions you might have about the Clean Slate Law.
What is the Clean Slate Law?
The Clean Slate Law allows nonviolent offenders to move forward without past convictions hanging over their head. If you’ve been convicted of a nonviolent misdemeanor, even one that came with a jail sentence of a year or more, this law may apply to you. These convictions can be sealed if you have not reoffended for a period of ten years and have no outstanding costs or fines associated with the conviction.
What does it mean to seal a conviction?
When a conviction is sealed, it is no longer part of public record. That means a court order will be required to unseal and view that conviction. Unlike an expungement, the conviction still exists, it’s just not public information. Convictions that are not sealed, for instance, would appear as part of any background check. If you’re still unclear on what it means to seal a conviction, call Richard Fink Law Offices, criminal defense attorney serving Bucks County.
Can sealed convictions still be expunged?
Under Pennsylvania state law, some charges, including those which ended up being dismissed, can be completely expunged from your record. You may also be eligible for expungement if you were an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) recipient. If you would like to seal those cases prior to or while moving to have it expunged, you can do so under the Clean Slate Law. This can help you in your efforts to obtain employment if expunging the record is taking longer than is helpful.
Should I tell a potential employer about my sealed convictions?
You don’t have to, no. Those who only have sealed or expunged convictions from their record can check “no” when asked if they’ve ever been convicted of a criminal offense. However, there are federal laws that may require your disclosure of these offenses if the information is requested by an agency under the Department of Justice.
What convictions are not eligible for record sealing in PA under the new Clean Slate Law?
The Clean Slate Law applies to most non-violent misdemeanor offenders meaning violent/heinous/sexual crimes do not apply to the Clean Slate Law. Of course in law there are always caveats that can apply as well that can prevent having your records sealed such as having first-degree misdemeanors or other felonies on your record. If you have four or more misdemeanors that are 2nd degree or higher, they collectively are not eligible under the Clean Slate Law.
How can I take advantage of the Clean Slate Law?
Understandably, many people aren’t clear on whether or not their convictions are truly eligible, and how to proceed in getting them sealed. In fact, some convictions may be eligible for automatic sealing. That’s why area residents rely on the counsel of Richard Fink, an experienced criminal defense attorney serving Bucks County. Although the Clean Slate Law is a new one, the Law Offices of Richard Fink have been preparing for the rollout of these protections since the bill was signed in 2018. Mr. Fink is a former Chairman of the Bucks County Bar Association Criminal Law Section, as well as a former Eastern Vice President of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is currently serving as Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Whether you face charges of a felony or a misdemeanor can depend on the quality of legal representation on your side. Selected as a " Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" since 2004, as published in Super Lawyers and Philadelphia Magazine, our attorney, Richard R. Fink, has the experience and knowledge of the criminal process to seek the best possible results on your behalf. We will look for reasons why your case should be dismissed, but if that does not work, we will work hard to make sure that the offense you are defending against is the lowest possible offense given the circumstances of your case.
Practicing Criminal Law in Bucks County for Over 40 Years
For more information about misdemeanor defense or to schedule an appointment at our Langhorne or Doylestown locations, contact the Law Offices of Richard R. Fink at 215-741-1212 .
CALL RICHARD FINK TODAY! (215) 741-1212
request a free consultationClean Slate Lawyer in Bucks County
Clean Slate lawyer | Located in Doylestown and Newtown, Pennsylvania
Now, residents of Pennsylvania with certain prior convictions may be able to make it happen. All it takes are the services of a criminal defense attorney serving Bucks County, and a little personal knowledge of your own. Here are some answers to questions you might have about the Clean Slate Law.
What is the Clean Slate Law?
The Clean Slate Law allows nonviolent offenders to move forward without past convictions hanging over their head. If you’ve been convicted of a nonviolent misdemeanor, even one that came with a jail sentence of a year or more, this law may apply to you. These convictions can be sealed if you have not reoffended for a period of ten years and have no outstanding costs or fines associated with the conviction.
What does it mean to seal a conviction?
When a conviction is sealed, it is no longer part of public record. That means a court order will be required to unseal and view that conviction. Unlike an expungement, the conviction still exists, it’s just not public information. Convictions that are not sealed, for instance, would appear as part of any background check. If you’re still unclear on what it means to seal a conviction, call Richard Fink Law Offices, criminal defense attorney serving Bucks County.
Can sealed convictions still be expunged?
Under Pennsylvania state law, some charges, including those which ended up being dismissed, can be completely expunged from your record. You may also be eligible for expungement if you were an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) recipient. If you would like to seal those cases prior to or while moving to have it expunged, you can do so under the Clean Slate Law. This can help you in your efforts to obtain employment if expunging the record is taking longer than is helpful.
Should I tell a potential employer about my sealed convictions?
You don’t have to, no. Those who only have sealed or expunged convictions from their record can check “no” when asked if they’ve ever been convicted of a criminal offense. However, there are federal laws that may require your disclosure of these offenses if the information is requested by an agency under the Department of Justice.
How can I take advantage of the Clean Slate Law?
Understandably, many people aren’t clear on whether or not their convictions are truly eligible, and how to proceed in getting them sealed. In fact, some convictions may be eligible for automatic sealing. That’s why area residents rely on the counsel of Richard Fink, an experienced criminal defense attorney serving Bucks County. Although the Clean Slate Law is a new one, the Law Offices of Richard Fink have been preparing for the rollout of these protections since the bill was signed in 2018. Mr. Fink is a former Chairman of the Bucks County Bar Association Criminal Law Section, as well as a former Eastern Vice President of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is currently serving as Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
What does it mean to seal a conviction?
When a conviction is sealed, it is no longer part of public record. That means a court order will be required to unseal and view that conviction. Unlike an expungement, the conviction still exists, it’s just not public information. Convictions that are not sealed, for instance, would appear as part of any background check. If you’re still unclear on what it means to seal a conviction, call Richard Fink Law Offices, criminal defense attorney serving Bucks County.
Can sealed convictions still be expunged?
Under Pennsylvania state law, some charges, including those which ended up being dismissed, can be completely expunged from your record. You may also be eligible for expungement if you were an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) recipient. If you would like to seal those cases prior to or while moving to have it expunged, you can do so under the Clean Slate Law. This can help you in your efforts to obtain employment if expunging the record is taking longer than is helpful.
Should I tell a potential employer about my sealed convictions?
You don’t have to, no. Those who only have sealed or expunged convictions from their record can check “no” when asked if they’ve ever been convicted of a criminal offense. However, there are federal laws that may require your disclosure of these offenses if the information is requested by an agency under the Department of Justice.
What convictions are not eligible for record sealing in PA under the new Clean Slate Law?
The Clean Slate Law applies to most non-violent misdemeanor offenders meaning violent/heinous/sexual crimes do not apply to the Clean Slate Law. Of course in law there are always caveats that can apply as well that can prevent having your records sealed such as having first-degree misdemeanors or other felonies on your record. If you have four or more misdemeanors that are 2nd degree or higher, they collectively are not eligible under the Clean Slate Law.
How can I take advantage of the Clean Slate Law?
Understandably, many people aren’t clear on whether or not their convictions are truly eligible, and how to proceed in getting them sealed. In fact, some convictions may be eligible for automatic sealing. That’s why area residents rely on the counsel of Richard Fink, an experienced criminal defense attorney serving Bucks County. Although the Clean Slate Law is a new one, the Law Offices of Richard Fink have been preparing for the rollout of these protections since the bill was signed in 2018. Mr. Fink is a former Chairman of the Bucks County Bar Association Criminal Law Section, as well as a former Eastern Vice President of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is currently serving as Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Serving Bensalem, Fairless Hills, Newtown, Richboro, Bucks County, Montgomery County & Surrounding
Whether you face charges of a felony or a misdemeanor can depend on the quality of legal representation on your side. Selected as a " Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" since 2004, as published in Super Lawyers and Philadelphia Magazine, our attorney, Richard R. Fink, has the experience and knowledge of the criminal process to seek the best possible results on your behalf. We will look for reasons why your case should be dismissed, but if that does not work, we will work hard to make sure that the offense you are defending against is the lowest possible offense given the circumstances of your case.
Practicing Criminal Law in Bucks County for Over 40 Years
For more information about misdemeanor defense or to schedule an appointment at our Newtown or Doylestown locations, contact the Law Offices of Richard R. Fink at 215-741-1212 .
CALL RICHARD FINK TODAY! (215) 741-1212
request a free consultation6 Reasons People Choose Fink Law Offices
Over 10 Not Guilty Verdicts in Murder Cases
As a former Chairman of the Bucks County Bar Association Criminal Law Section, a member of the Board of Directors of, and a former Eastern Vice President of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mr. Fink uses his extensive experience and familiarity with the criminal justice system, the prosecutors, police and judges to obtain the right results for his clients.
Former Bucks County Chief Public Defender
Before entering private practice, Mr. Fink served as Chief Public Defender of Bucks County. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania and United States Supreme Courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Top Attorney For Over 10 Consecutive Years
Mr. Fink has been selected for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list from 2004 - 2015 as published in Super Lawyers and Philadelphia Magazine; only 5 % of lawyers in the state are selected for this honor each year. Super Lawyers does not permit a lawyer to buy a position, and selects attorneys using a process of peer nominations based off of recognition and achievement.
Free Case Evaluation & Consultation
Dealing constantly with prosecutors, police and judges is a distinct advantage when defending a criminal prosecution. Knowing the characteristics of each of the judges and prosecutors is an invaluable asset. Richard Fink has practiced for decades and has extensive familiarity with criminal prosecutions, and the local customs and practices, some of which he personally helped to create.
24/7 Availability
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, don't wait to contact an experienced defense lawyer. It can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal, or probation and a prison sentence. Our firm's attorney has decades of experience and an understanding of the legal landscape in Bucks County and other counties throughout Pennsylvania in federal court.
Two Convenient Office Locations
With two convenient locations, Richard Fink is available for your legal needs. He is no stranger to the courtroom and is very experienced with local laws and ordinances which makes him the only choice for your legal representation. Attorney Richard Fink is ready to meet with you, assess your situation and explain what he can do to help protect your rights. With over 30 years of experience he can help you right now!
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