When a person has a prior criminal or arrest record associated with them, it can make moving forward with their life tremendously difficult. A criminal record can make for a difficult time finding a job and can complicate a person's situation with the job they are currently holding. Fortunately, Pennsylvania does allow individuals to clear their names of any criminal or arrest records by filing for either expungement or record sealing with the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the original offense had occurred.
How Can a Record Affect My Employment Search?
It is no secret that most employers will present a person with the question of whether or not they have been convicted of a crime. A criminal record, especially one from a time long since passed can be a hindrance to anyone trying to enter the workforce. These records are often not indicative of a person's true character and ability to contribute to a work environment, nonetheless, employers will likely still deny a person's application to work if they see a criminal record during a background check. Filing for an expungement or record sealing can help prevent this.
Can my Employment Status be Affected by a Record?
If a person has a criminal record while employed, depending on their line of work, their job may be affected. Jobs such as those in the medical field, or other fields that require professional licensure can be thrown into jeopardy because of a person's criminal record. When a person is applying for or renewing their professional licensure, their ability to hold the license can be affected by criminal records. Some state authorities do now allow individuals to hold licenses if they have prior criminal records. Obtaining an expungement or having one's records sealed can help prevent this from occurring.
Pennsylvania Expungement Attorney
One way to prevent prior records from interfering with employment is to file for an expungement or a record sealing. Filing for expungement or sealing records can be an unfamiliar and frustrating process. While these motions can be attempted on one's own, assistance from an attorney can help. When attempting to file for these motions alone, a person may not receive adequate direction or guidance from the court employees. Any filings done with errors can mean a person must start the process from the beginning, or file once more. This can be frustrating, especially when a person just wants to move on with their life. For this reason, it may be beneficial to have an attorney conduct the filings instead. An attorney can reduce the likelihood of error, which will also reduce the chances for the motion being delayed.
If you or a loved one is seeking an expungement in Pennsylvania, contact LLF's Criminal Law Team today.
