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. The clinic assisted 32 York County residents, helping them determine their eligibility for expungement and in some cases permanently sealing their prior criminal records and guiding them on the next steps in the process. The 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 a similar 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.

Most employers and many landlords conduct criminal background checks. A criminal record can significantly hinder job prospects and, for prospective renters, can lead to higher rents, larger deposits, or denial of housing. Expunging records allows individuals to state that 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 YCBA, visit http://www.yorkbar.com.