HARRISBURG, Pa. — HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The first phase of Pennsylvania's "clean slate" law that seals lower-level, nonviolent crimes from public review has gone into effect.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports as of Wednesday, people can petition for certain misdemeanors, such as simple assault, intoxicated driving and theft, to be sealed.
If you want to receive BREAKING ALERTS, please download our WPXI News App. You can also follow WPXI on Facebook and Twitter.
Misdemeanor records will be automatically sealed in June if a defendant has gone a decade without a new conviction. The law also seals records of arrests that did not result in convictions.
The law does not expunge convictions, and sealed convictions will still be visible to police, courts and prosecutors.
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia says it will provide volunteer lawyers to help people see if their records can be sealed starting in January.
The organization has an online form where people can request assistance.
___
Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com
TRENDING NOW:
- Mail falls from tractor-trailer onto McKnight Road
- More 'Hamilton' tickets quietly released by Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
- 6 customers draw guns on men attempting to steal tools
- VIDEO: Parents begging for answers after WVU student injured at fraternity
- DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts