York County Bar and MidPenn Legal Services Aid 32 Residents at Free Expungement and Clean Slate Clinic

The York County Bar Association (YCBA) and York County Bar Foundation (YCBF), in partnership with MidPenn Legal Services, hosted a free Expungement and Clean Slate Clinic on May 22, 2024. The clinic assisted 32 York County residents, helping them determine their eligibility for expungement and/or permanently sealing their prior criminal records and guiding them on the next steps in the process. The York Bar and MidPenn Legal Services clinic served as a model for other regions, with an attorney from the Adams County MidPenn office shadowing the event in hopes of potentially hosting their own expungement clinic in the future.
 
In law, "expungement" is the process of erasing or sealing a criminal conviction from state or federal record. An expungement order instructs the court to treat the conviction as if it never happened, effectively removing it from the defendant's criminal record and, ideally, from the public record as well.
 
Victoria Connor, CEO of the YCBA/YCBF, commented on the importance of such initiatives, “Criminal charges, including those not resulting in convictions, are publicly accessible online in Pennsylvania. This may lead to discrimination based on criminal records that creates substantial obstacles with many adverse implications for people who really deserve a second chance. Our clinic's goal was to educate the community and assist eligible individuals in expunging or permanently sealing their criminal records, opening new opportunities for employment and housing.”
 
Over 80% of employers and many landlords conduct criminal background checks. A criminal record significantly hinders job prospects and, for prospective renters, can lead to higher rents, larger deposits, or outright denial of housing. Expunging records allows individuals to truthfully state they have never been convicted, improving their chances of employment and housing, and provides individuals with peace of mind by ensuring past convictions no longer affect their future.
 
For more information about the York County Bar, upcoming legal clinics, and other services, please visit www.yorkbar.com.