What is an Order for Limited Access?
Sealing a Criminal Record in Pennsylvania: What Is an Order for Limited Access?
If you’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible to seal your criminal record through an Order for Limited Access. This process is similar to criminal record sealing in other states and can significantly improve your chances of getting a job, renting an apartment, or passing a background check.
What Does Sealing a Record Mean?
Sealing a record through an Order for Limited Access does not erase your criminal conviction—it simply removes the record from public view. Once sealed, your criminal history will no longer appear on most criminal background checks conducted by employers, landlords, or the general public.
Under Section 9121(b)(3) of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, sealed records cannot be shared by the court or the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts with:
Individuals
Noncriminal justice agencies
Online databases and background check websites
Only law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges retain access to your sealed criminal record.
Sealing vs. Expungement in Pennsylvania
It’s important to understand the difference between record sealing and expungement:
Expungement: Permanently erases the criminal record as if it never existed.
Sealing (Order for Limited Access): Hides the record from public view but still allows access by criminal justice agencies.
A sealed conviction can still be used against you if you are arrested again in the future. It may also disqualify you from first-time offender programs like ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition).
Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate Law: Automatic and Petition-Based Sealing
Under the Clean Slate Law, certain offenses are automatically sealed after a waiting period, while others require a formal petition to be filed to faciliate the limited access process.
Automatically Sealed Records:
Summary offenses and low-level misdemeanors – generally after 5 and 7 years respectively of being crime-free
All court fines and costs must be paid
Petition-Based Record Sealing:
certain misdemeanors and felonies – generally after 10 years of being crime-free
Must file a petition for an Order for Limited Access with the Clerk of Courts in the county in which the case was prosecuted
If your conviction is not eligible for automatic sealing, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you prepare and file a petition for limited access.
Are You Eligible to Seal Your Record?
If you’re looking to clean up your criminal record, protect your privacy, or improve your background check results, sealing your record through an Order for Limited Access may be the right solution. For more info about limited access eligiblity, click here.
Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer
Attorney Jason S. Dunkle of JD Law has helped clients across Pennsylvania seal their criminal records and move forward with confidence. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible or need assistance filing a petition, contact JD Law for a free consultation.
For a free case review, contact JD Law by email or leave a message at (814) 689-9139. Email is the preferred method of communication, as phone calls are directed to voicemail due to the high volume of spam and unsolicited calls.