This information is for reference and research purposes. This section explains the basic forms needed for Juvenile Expungement of Record in a step-by-step format. Expungement is controlled by 18 PACSA § 9123. Generally, expungement is the process to "remove from general review" the records pertaining to an arrest, citation, or adjudication of summary or criminal charges. However, not all criminal records are eligible for expungement, and the records may not completely "disappear." Records may still be available to law enforcement and may still be considered a prior conviction for some purposes. Expungement is not automatic, and the court may choose not to grant the request. To determine if your criminal records fall within the categories of records eligible to be expunged, consult an attorney.
Criteria for Juvenile Expungement English Spanish
We recommend that you use the printable checklist.
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- You need a letter from the Lehigh County Bureau of Collections Office stating that you have paid all cost, fines, and restitution in full
- Request this document be mailed to you by either going in person to the Lehigh County Bureau of Collections Office located in Room 130 on the 1st floor of the Lehigh County Courthouse or by calling (610) 782-3320
- You will need to obtain a Juvenile Probation Expungement Face Sheet from the Lehigh County Juvenile Probation Department which will consist of all the information you will need to complete the Motion to Expunge Juvenile Records form
- Request this document by going in person to the Lehigh County Juvenile Probation Department located in Room 710 on the 7th floor of the Lehigh County Courthouse or by calling (610) 782-3143. A photo ID is required to obtain this document.
- Sign and date all forms that require your signature
- Make four (4) copies each of the following
- The completed Motion to Expunge Form
- The completed Certificate of Service Form
- Proof of Cost, Fines and Restitution letter from the Lehigh County Bureau of Collections Office
- Prepare one (1) envelope with your address and a first-class stamp
Assemble into five (5) packets:
- One (1) packet for the Clerk of Judicial Records-Criminal containing the following completed forms and documents:
- Original Motion to Expunge
- Original Certificate of Service
- Original Proof of Cost, Fines and Restitution letter
- One (1) Self-Addressed first-class stamped envelope
- One (1) packet to be served on the Court Administration Office, one (1) packet to be served on the District Attorney's Office, one (1) packet to be served on the Juvenile Probation Office, one (1) packet for your records containing the following completed forms and documents:
- Photocopy of Motion to Expunge
- Photocopy of Certificate of Service
- Photocopy of Proof of Cost, Fines and Restitution letter
Take the following items to the Clerk of Judicial Records-Criminal office located in room 122 of Lehigh County Courthouse:
- All five (5) completed packets from Section 5 Packet Assembly
- Cash, check made payable to County of Lehigh or a money order
For current Filing Fees see http://www.lccpa.org/criminal/CriminalCourtFees.pdf.
The clerk will time-stamp all copies, the clerk will keep the original copy and return all time-stamped photocopied packets back to you for service.
- It is your responsibility to serve the District Attorney's Office, Court Administration and Juvenile Probation. The easiest way to serve is to hand deliver to them while you are still at the Courthouse:
- Hand deliver one (1) time-stamped packet to the District Attorney's Office located in Room 307 on the 3rd floor of the Lehigh County Courthouse
- Then hand deliver one (1) time-stamped packet to the Court Administrator's Office located in Room 614 on the 6th floor of the Lehigh County Courthouse
- Hand deliver one (1) time-stamped packet to Juvenile Probation located in room 710 on the 7th floor of the Lehigh County Courthouse
- Or you may mail each to the address provided on the Certificate of Service
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Disclaimer
The forms and instructions that are available from this website are not a substitute for professional legal advice. Court employees cannot give you legal advice or help you fill out /complete the forms. It is your responsibility to read and complete the forms and to take required steps to file and serve the documents. If you decide to use these forms in an actual action, be prepared to spend appropriate time gathering information, completing forms and following the Rules of Court. The Court assumes no responsibility for the use of these forms and accepts no liability for actions taken by using these documents, including reliance on the instructions and/or contents. To obtain legal advice and to insure the proper use of this material, you should contact a lawyer.
If you want to obtain the service of an attorney, but do not know whom to contact, you should visit the Lehigh County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service website.
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