Free clinic offered to help expunge, seal prior criminal records

A free clinic on May 22 will help York County residents seal prior criminal records and expunge charges without convictions from those records.

MidPenn Legal Services, the York County Bar Association and the York County Bar Foundation are sponsoring the clinic from 5 to 7 p.m.  

Volunteer attorneys will be on hand to educate the community on the current law and recent changes to the criminal justice codes. 

The goal is to assist those eligible in expunging and/or permanently sealing their prior criminal records. 

Getting non-convictions expunged will allow those seeking employment to truthfully say that they have never been convicted of a crime. 

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More than 80% of employers conduct criminal background checks on employee candidates, organizers say. Criminal records hinder job prospects. 

Finding an apartment is also made more difficult with a criminal record. Landlords do criminal background checks on potential tenants. A conviction or arrest makes it less likely to secure that apartment, or landlords may charge higher rents or require a bigger deposit. 

For more information or to register, email Janelle Black at janelle.black@yorkbar.com or call 717-854-8755, ext. 204. 

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