Court Opinion

ID: 9402033
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-14 20:08:52.335625+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:57.038763
License: Public Domain

Rule 320. Procedure for Expungement Upon Successful Completion of ARD
          Program.

***
Rule 490. Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Summary Cases;
          Expungement Order.

     ([A]a) [PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT] Petition for Expungement.

           (1)   Except as provided in Rule 320 (Procedure for Expungement
                 Upon Successful Completion of ARD Program) and Rule 490.2
                 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Summary Cases;
                 Expungement Order), an individual who satisfies the requirements
                 of 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 and 18 Pa.C.S. § 9123(a) for expungement of
                 a summary case may request expungement by filing a petition with
                 the clerk of the courts of the judicial district in which the charges were
                 disposed.

           (2)   The petition shall set forth:

                 ([a]i) the petitioner's name and any aliases that the petitioner has
                        used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

                 ([b]ii) the name and address of the issuing authority who accepted
                         the guilty plea or heard the case;

                 ([c]iii) the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                          complaint or citation, if available;

                 ([d]iv) the magisterial district court number;

                 ([e]v) the docket number;

                 ([f]vi) the date on the citation or complaint, or the date of arrest, and,
                         if available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

                 ([g]vii)the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                         document, to be expunged;

                 ([h]viii)the disposition and, if the sentence includes a fine, costs, or
                         restitution, whether the amount due has been paid;

                 ([i]ix) the reason(s) for expungement; and

                 ([j]x) a verification by the petitioner that facts set forth in the petition
                        are true and correct to the best of the petitioner's personal
                        knowledge or information and belief. The verification may be

                                          2
                  by a sworn affidavit or by an unsworn written statement that
                  the facts are verified subject to the penalties for unsworn
                  falsification to authorities under the Crimes Code § 4904, 18
                  Pa.C.S. § 4904.

           Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

     (3)   Unless the attorney for the Commonwealth agrees to waive this
           requirement, a current copy of the petitioner’s Pennsylvania State
           Police criminal history report shall be attached to the petition. The
           copy shall be obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police within 60
           days before filing the petition. Absent a waiver by the attorney for
           the Commonwealth, the judge shall not rule upon the petition until
           the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history report is filed.

     (4)   A copy of the petition shall be served on the attorney for the
           Commonwealth concurrently with filing.

([B]b) [OBJECTIONS; HEARING] Objections; Hearing.

     (1)   Within 30 days after service of the petition, the attorney for the
           Commonwealth shall file a consent or objection to the petition or take
           no action. The attorney for the Commonwealth’s consent or
           objection shall be filed with the clerk of courts, and copies shall be
           served on the petitioner's attorney, or the petitioner if unrepresented.

     (2)   Upon receipt of the attorney for the Commonwealth’s response, or
           no later than 14 days after the expiration of the 30-day period in
           [paragraph] subdivision [(B)(1)] (b)(1), the judge shall grant or
           deny the petition or shall schedule a hearing.

     (3)   At the hearing, if any, the parties shall be afforded an opportunity to
           be heard. Following the hearing, the judge promptly shall enter an
           order granting or denying the petition.

     (4)   If the judge grants the petition for expungement, the judge shall enter
           an order directing expungement.

           ([a]i) The order shall contain the information required in [paragraph]
                   subdivision [(C)] (c).

           ([b]ii) Except when the attorney for the Commonwealth has filed a
                   consent to the petition pursuant to [paragraph] subdivision

                                   3
                   [(B)(1)] (b)(1), the order shall be stayed for 30 days pending
                   an appeal. If a timely notice of appeal is filed, the
                   expungement order is stayed pending the disposition of the
                   appeal and further order of court.

      (5)   If the judge denies the petition for expungement, the judge shall enter
            an order denying the petition and stating the reasons for the denial.

([C]c) [ORDER] Order.

      (1)   Every order for expungement shall include:

            ([a]i) the petitioner's name and any aliases that the petitioner has
                   used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

            ([b]ii) the name and address of the issuing authority who accepted
                    the guilty plea or heard the case;

            ([c]iii) the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                     complaint or citation, if available;

            ([d]iv) the magisterial district court number;

            ([e]v) the docket number;

            ([f]vi) the date on the citation or complaint, or the date of arrest, and,
                    if available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

            ([g]vii)the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                    document, to be expunged;

            ([h]viii)the disposition and, if the sentence includes a fine, costs, or
                    restitution, whether the amount due has been paid;

            ([i]ix) the reason(s) for expungement; and

            ([j]x) the criminal justice agencies upon which certified copies of the
                   order shall be served.

            Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

                                     4
              (2)    The clerk of courts shall serve a certified copy of the [O]order to each
                     criminal justice agency identified in the court’s [O]order and to all
                     other entities required to be notified by statute.

Comment: This rule, adopted in 2010, provides the procedures for requesting and
ordering expungement in summary cases. Any case in which a summary offense is filed
with a misdemeanor, felony, or murder of the first, second, or third degree is a court case
(see Rule 103). The petition for expungement of the summary offense in such a case
would proceed under Rule 790.

        This rule was amended in 2019 to clarify that the procedures under this rule are to
be used for summary convictions for offenses committed when the defendant is under 18
years of age. This would include any summary conviction that also has been certified to
juvenile court pursuant to Pa.R.J.C.P. 200(3) and 42 Pa.C.S. § 6304.1. In such cases,
two expungement petitions would need to be filed: one would be filed pursuant to
Pa.R.J.C.P. 170 to expunge the record of the juvenile proceeding and the second would
be filed pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 490 to expunge the underlying summary conviction.

       See also Rule 320 [for the procedures for expungement following the
successful completion of an ARD program in a summary case and] (Procedure for
Expungement Upon Successful Completion of ARD Program); Rule 790 [for court
case expungement procedures.] (Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Court
Cases; Expungement Order); Rule 791 (Procedure for Obtaining Order for Limited
Access in Court Cases; Order for Limited Access); 35 P.S. § 780-119 for
expungement procedures under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and
Cosmetic Act; and for expungement procedures in cases satisfying the
requirements of 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4) regarding complete acquittals, see Rule
490.2 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Summary Cases; Expungement
Order) and Rule 790.2 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Court Cases;
Expungement Order).

        This rule sets forth the only information that is to be included in every expungement
petition and order.

        [Paragraph] Subdivision [(A)(3)] (a)(3) requires the petitioner to attach a copy of
his or her criminal history report to the petition. The attorney for the Commonwealth may
waive the requirement that the criminal history report be attached to the petition. The
Commonwealth’s agreement to the waiver may be made orally or in writing, or averred in
the petition.

       A form petition and form order of expungement has been created by the
Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, in consultation with the Committee, and is
available at the following website: http://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public.

                                             5
       “Petition,” as used in this rule, is a “motion” for purposes of Rules 575, 576, and
577.

       The "reason for expungement" in [paragraph] subdivisions [(A)(2)(i)] (a)(2)(ix)
and [(C)(1)(i)] (c)(1)(ix) means, for example, acquittal, arrest or prosecution free for five
years following the conviction for that summary offense, or age.

       For the procedures for filing and service of petitions, see Rule 576.

       For the procedures for filing and service of orders, see Rule 114.

      For purposes of this rule, "criminal justice agency" includes police departments,
county detectives, and other law enforcement agencies. See also 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102.

       Subdivision (c)(2) requires the clerk of courts to serve each criminal justice
agency identified in the court’s order as well as all other entities required to be
notified by statute. See, e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(3) (requiring the court to order
the expungement of all administrative records of the Department of Transportation
relating to a conviction pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6308 when that conviction is
ordered to be expunged).

       Concerning standing, see In Re Administrative Order No. 1-MD-2003, 936 A.2d 1
(Pa. 2007); Commonwealth v. J.H., 759 A.2d 1269 (Pa. 2000).

              [NOTE: Adopted September 22, 2010 effective in 90 days;
              amended November 1, 2016, effective November 14, 2016
              amended March 1, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.

       *             *             *              *             *              *

       COMMITTEE EXPLANATORY REPORTS:

       Final Report explaining the September 22, 2010 promulgation of new
       Rule 490 providing the procedures for expungements in summary
       cases published with the Court’s Order at 40 Pa.B. 5737 (October 9,
       2010).

       Final Report explaining the November 9, 2016 amendment regarding
       the stay of expungement when the Commonwealth has consented and

                                             6
petition and order forms published for comment at 46 Pa.B. 7439
(November 26, 2016).

Final Report explaining the March 1, 2019 amendment regarding
expungement of summary offenses when the defendant is under 18
years of age published with the Court’s Order at 49 Pa.B. 1121 (March
16, 2019).]

                                 7
                         —The following text is entirely new—

Rule 490.2. Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Summary Cases;
            Expungement Order.

     (a)   Notice of Acquittal.

           (1)   In any summary case in which the defendant has been acquitted of
                 all charges as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4), the issuing
                 authority shall promptly, but no later than 20 days after acquittal,
                 notify either the clerk of courts of the judicial district in which the
                 charges were disposed or, if the charges were disposed of in the
                 Philadelphia Municipal Court, the clerk of Municipal Court.

           (2)   Within 10 days of receipt of the notification from the issuing authority,
                 the clerk of courts or the clerk of Municipal Court, whichever applies,
                 shall notify the defendant, defense counsel, if any, and the attorney
                 for the Commonwealth that the case shall be ordered expunged,
                 unless an objection is filed by the attorney for the Commonwealth.

           (3)   Thereafter, the case shall proceed as provided in subdivisions (b)
                 and (c) of this rule.

           (4)   The notice issued by the clerk of courts or by the clerk of Municipal
                 Court under subdivision (a)(2) shall set forth:

                 (i)       the defendant’s name and any aliases that the defendant has
                           used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

                 (ii)      the name and address of the issuing authority who heard the
                           case;

                 (iii)     the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                           complaint or citation, if available;

                 (iv)      the magisterial district court number, if applicable;

                 (v)       the docket number;

                 (vi)      the date on the citation or complaint, or the date of arrest, and,
                           if available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

                                            8
            (vii)    the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                     document, to be expunged; and

            (viii)   a statement that all the charges resulted in a not guilty finding.

            Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

(b)   Objections; Hearing.

      (1)   Within 60 days after service of the notice, the attorney for the
            Commonwealth shall file a consent or objection to the expungement
            or take no action. The attorney for the Commonwealth’s consent or
            objection shall be filed in the court of common pleas or the
            Philadelphia Municipal Court, whichever applies, and copies shall be
            served on the defendant and defense counsel, if any.

      (2)   Upon receipt of the attorney for the Commonwealth’s response, or
            no later than 14 days after the expiration of the 60-day period in
            subdivision (b)(1), the court of common pleas or the Philadelphia
            Municipal Court, whichever applies, shall grant the expungement or,
            when an objection is filed, shall schedule a hearing unless waived by
            the parties and the court.

      (3)   At the hearing, if any, the defendant and the attorney for the
            Commonwealth shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard.
            Following the hearing, the judge promptly shall enter an order
            granting or denying the expungement.

      (4)   If the judge grants the expungement, the judge shall enter an order
            directing expungement.

            (i)      The order shall contain the information required in subdivision
                     (c).

            (ii)     Except when the attorney for the Commonwealth has filed a
                     consent pursuant to subdivision (b)(1), the order shall be
                     stayed for 30 days pending an appeal. If a timely notice of
                     appeal is filed, the expungement order is stayed pending the
                     disposition of the appeal and further order of court.

      (5)   If the judge denies the expungement, the judge shall enter an order
            denying the expungement and stating the reasons for the denial.

                                      9
            (6)    The judge shall issue the order granting or denying the expungement
                   in writing, with copies to the defendant, defense counsel, if any, and
                   the attorney for the Commonwealth, and shall make the order a part
                   of the docket.

      (c)   Order.

            (1)    Every order for expungement shall include:

                   (i)      the defendant's name and any aliases that the defendant has
                            used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

                   (ii)     the name and address of the issuing authority who heard the
                            case;

                   (iii)    the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                            complaint or citation, if available;

                   (iv)     the magisterial district court number, if applicable;

                   (v)      the docket number;

                   (vi)     the date on the citation or complaint, or the date of arrest, and,
                            if available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

                   (vii)    the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                            document, to be expunged;

                   (viii)   a statement that all the charges resulted in a not guilty finding;
                            and

                   (ix)     the criminal justice agencies upon which certified copies of the
                            order shall be served.

                   Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

            (2)    The clerk of courts shall serve a certified copy of the order to each
                   criminal justice agency identified in the court’s order and to all other
                   entities required to be notified by statute.

Comment: This rule was adopted in 2023 to provide procedures for the expungement of
summary cases that resulted in acquittals as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4).

                                            10
      For the ability of the parties, with the consent of the court, to waive a hearing
pursuant to subdivision (b)(2), see 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4)(iii).

       See also Rule 320 (Procedure for Expungement Upon Successful Completion of
ARD Program); Rule 490 (Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Summary Cases;
Expungement Order); Rule 790 (Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Court Cases;
Expungement Order); Rule 791 (Procedure for Obtaining Order for Limited Access in
Court Cases; Order for Limited Access); 35 P.S. § 780-119 for expungement procedures
under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act; and for expungement
procedures in court cases satisfying the requirements of 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4)
regarding complete acquittals, see Rule 790.2 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals
in Court Cases; Expungement Order).

                                          11
Rule 790. Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Court Cases; Expungement
          Order.

     ([A]a) [PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT] Petition for Expungement.

           (1)   Except as provided in Rule 320 (Procedure for Expungement
                 Upon Successful Completion of ARD Program), Rule 790.2
                 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Court Cases;
                 Expungement Order), and 35 P.S. § 780-119, an individual who
                 satisfies the requirements for expungement may request
                 expungement by filing a petition with the clerk of the courts of the
                 judicial district in which the charges were disposed.

           (2)   The petition shall set forth:

                 ([a]i) the petitioner's name and any aliases that the petitioner has
                        used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

                 ([b]ii) the name and address of the judge of the court of common
                         pleas who accepted the guilty plea or heard the case;

                 ([c]iii) the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                          complaint, if available;

                 ([d]iv) the Philadelphia Municipal Court docket number or the court
                         of common pleas docket number, whichever applies;

                 ([e]v) the offense tracking number (OTN);

                 ([f]vi) the date on the complaint, or the date of arrest, and, if
                         available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

                 ([g]vii)the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                         document, to be expunged;

                 ([h]viii)the disposition and, if the sentence includes a fine, costs, or
                         restitution, whether the amount due has been paid;

                 ([i]ix) the reason(s) for expungement; and

                 ([j]x) a verification by the petitioner that facts set forth in the petition
                        are true and correct to the best of the petitioner's personal
                        knowledge or information and belief. The verification may be

                                          12
                  by a sworn affidavit or by an unsworn written statement that
                  the facts are verified subject to the penalties for unsworn
                  falsification to authorities under the Crimes Code § 4904, 18
                  Pa.C.S. § 4904.

           Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

     (3)   Unless the attorney for the Commonwealth agrees to waive this
           requirement, a current copy of the petitioner’s Pennsylvania State
           Police criminal history report shall be attached to the petition. The
           copy shall be obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police within 60
           days before filing the petition. Absent a waiver by the attorney for
           the Commonwealth, the judge shall not rule upon the petition until
           the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history report is filed.

     (4)   A copy of the petition shall be served on the attorney for the
           Commonwealth concurrently with filing.

([B]b) [OBJECTIONS; HEARING] Objections; Hearing.

     (1)   Within 60 days after service of the petition, the attorney for the
           Commonwealth shall file a consent or objection to the petition or take
           no action. The attorney for the Commonwealth’s consent or
           objection shall be filed with the clerk of courts, and copies shall be
           served on the petitioner's attorney, or the petitioner if unrepresented.

     (2)   Upon receipt of the attorney for the Commonwealth’s response, or
           no later than 14 days after the expiration of the 60-day period in
           [paragraph] subdivision [(B)(1)] (b)(1), the judge shall grant or
           deny the petition or shall schedule a hearing.

     (3)   At the hearing, if any, the parties shall be afforded an opportunity to
           be heard. Following the hearing, the judge promptly shall enter an
           order granting or denying the petition.

     (4)   If the judge grants the petition for expungement, the judge shall enter
           an order directing expungement.

           ([a]i) The order shall contain the information required in [paragraph]
                   subdivision [(C)] (c).

           ([b]ii) Except when the attorney for the Commonwealth has filed a
                   consent to the petition pursuant to [paragraph] subdivision

                                  13
                  [(B)(1)] (b)(1), the order shall be stayed for 30 days pending
                  an appeal. If a timely notice of appeal is filed, the
                  expungement order is stayed pending the disposition of the
                  appeal and further order of court.

     (5)   If the judge denies the petition for expungement, the judge shall enter
           an order denying the petition and stating the reasons for the denial.

([C]c) [ORDER] Order.

     (1)   Every order for expungement shall include:

           ([a]i) the petitioner's name and any aliases that the petitioner has
                  used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

           ([b]ii) the name and address of the judge of the court of common
                   pleas who accepted the guilty plea or heard the case;

           ([c]iii) the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                    complaint, if available;

           ([d]iv) the Philadelphia Municipal Court docket number or the court
                   of common pleas docket number, whichever applies;

           ([e]v) the offense tracking number (OTN);

           ([f]vi) the date on the complaint, or the date of arrest, and, if
                   available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

           ([g]vii)the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                   document, to be expunged;

           ([h]viii)the disposition and, if the sentence includes a fine, costs, or
                   restitution, whether the amount due has been paid;

           ([i]ix) the reason(s) for expungement; and

           ([j]x) the criminal justice agencies upon which certified copies of the
                  order shall be served.

           Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

                                  14
              (2)    The clerk of courts shall serve a certified copy of the [O]order to each
                     criminal justice agency identified in the court’s [O]order and to all
                     other entities required to be notified by statute.

Comment: This rule, adopted in 2010, provides the procedures for requesting and
ordering expungement in court cases. Any case in which a summary offense is filed with
a misdemeanor, felony, or murder of the first, second, or third degree is a court case (see
Rule 103). The petition for expungement of the summary offense in such a case would
proceed under this rule.

       See also Rule 320 [for the procedures for expungement following the
successful completion of an ARD program in a court case,](Procedure for
Expungement Upon Successful Completion of ARD Program); Rule 490 [for
summary case expungement procedures,](Procedure for Obtaining Expungement
in Summary Cases; Expungement Order); Rule 791 (Procedure for Obtaining Order
for Limited Access in Court Cases; Order for Limited Access); [and ]35 P.S. § 780-
119 for expungement procedures under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and
Cosmetic Act; and for expungement procedures in cases satisfying the
requirements of 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4) regarding complete acquittals, see Rule
490.2 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Summary Cases; Expungement
Order) and Rule 790.2 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Court Cases;
Expungement Order).

     This rule sets forth the only information that must be included in every
expungement petition and order.

        [Paragraph] Subdivision [(A)(3)] (a)(3) requires the petitioner to attach a copy of
his or her criminal history report to the petition. The attorney for the Commonwealth may
waive the requirement that the criminal history report be attached to the petition. The
Commonwealth’s agreement to the waiver may be made orally or in writing, or averred in
the petition.

      An order for expungement under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and
Cosmetic Act, 35 P.S. § 780-119, also must include the information in [paragraph]
subdivision [(C)] (c).

       A form petition and form order of expungement has been created by the
Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, in consultation with the Committee, and is
available at the following website: http://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public.

       “Petition,” as used in this rule, is a “motion” for purposes of Rules 575, 576, and
577.

                                            15
       The "reason for expungement" in [paragraph] subdivisions [(A)(2)(i)] (a)(2)(ix)
and [(C)(1)(i)] (c)(1)(ix) means, for example, acquittal or age.

      For the procedures for filing and service of petitions, see Rule 576.

      For the procedures for filing and service of orders, see Rule 114.

      When a summons instead of an arrest warrant is issued pursuant to Rule 519, the
date of the summons constitutes the "date of arrest" for purposes of [paragraph]
subdivision [(A)(2)(f)] (a)(2)(vi).

       Subdivision (c)(2) requires the clerk of courts to serve each criminal justice
agency identified in the court’s order as well as all other entities required to be
notified by statute. See, e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(3) (requiring the court to order
the expungement of all administrative records of the Department of Transportation
relating to a conviction pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6308 when that conviction is
ordered to be expunged).

      For purposes of this rule, "criminal justice agency" includes police departments,
county detectives, and other law enforcement agencies. See also 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102.

       Concerning standing, see In Re Administrative Order No. 1-MD-2003, 936 A.2d 1
(Pa. 2007); Commonwealth v. J.H., 759 A.2d 1269 (Pa. 2000).

             [NOTE: Adopted September 22, 2010 effective in 90 days;
             amended November 1, 2016, effective November 14, 2016.

      *             *             *             *             *               *

      COMMITTEE EXPLANATORY REPORTS:

      Final Report explaining the September 22, 2010 promulgation of new
      Rule 790 providing the procedures for expungements in court cases
      published with the Court’s Order at 40 Pa.B. 5737 (October 9, 2010).

      Final Report explaining the November 9, 2016 amendment regarding
      the stay of expungement when the Commonwealth has consented and
      petition and order forms published with the Court’s Order at 46 Pa.B.
      7439 (November 26, 2016).]

                                           16
                          —The following text is entirely new—

Rule 790.2. Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Court Cases;
            Expungement Order.

      (a)   Notice of Acquittal.

            (1)   In any court case in which the defendant has been acquitted of all
                  charges as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4), within 10 days of
                  the entry of the acquittal, the clerk of courts of the judicial district in
                  which the charges were disposed or, if the charges were disposed of
                  in the Philadelphia Municipal Court, the clerk of Municipal Court shall
                  notify the defendant, defense counsel, if any, and the attorney for the
                  Commonwealth that the case shall be ordered expunged, unless an
                  objection is filed by the attorney for the Commonwealth.

            (2)   Thereafter, the case shall proceed as provided in subdivision (b) and
                  (c) of this rule.

            (3)   The notice issued by the clerk of courts or by the clerk of Municipal
                  Court under subdivision (a)(1) shall set forth:

                  (i)       the defendant’s name and any aliases that the defendant has
                            used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

                  (ii)      the name and address of the judge of the court of common
                            pleas or of the Philadelphia Municipal Court, whichever
                            applies, who heard the case;

                  (iii)     the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                            complaint or citation, if available;

                  (iv)      the Philadelphia Municipal Court docket number or the court
                            of common pleas docket number, whichever applies;

                  (v)       the offense tracking number (OTN);

                  (vi)      the date on the citation or complaint, or the date of arrest, and,
                            if available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

                  (vii)     the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                            document, to be expunged; and

                                            17
            (viii)   a statement that all the charges resulted in a not guilty finding.

            Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

(b)   Objections; Hearing.

      (1)   Within 60 days after service of the notice, the attorney for the
            Commonwealth shall file a consent or objection to the expungement
            or take no action. The attorney for the Commonwealth’s consent or
            objection shall be filed in the court of common pleas or the
            Philadelphia Municipal Court, whichever applies, and copies shall be
            served on the defendant and defense counsel, if any.

      (2)   Upon receipt of the attorney for the Commonwealth’s response, or
            no later than 14 days after the expiration of the 60-day period in
            subdivision (b)(1), the court of common pleas or the Philadelphia
            Municipal Court, whichever applies, shall grant the expungement or,
            when an objection is filed, shall schedule a hearing unless waived by
            the parties and the court.

      (3)   At the hearing, if any, the defendant and the attorney for the
            Commonwealth shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard.
            Following the hearing, the judge promptly shall enter an order
            granting or denying the expungement.

      (4)   If the judge grants the expungement, the judge shall enter an order
            directing expungement.

            (i)      The order shall contain the information required in subdivision
                     (c).

            (ii)     Except when the attorney for the Commonwealth has filed a
                     consent pursuant to subdivision (b)(1), the order shall be
                     stayed for 30 days pending an appeal. If a timely notice of
                     appeal is filed, the expungement order is stayed pending the
                     disposition of the appeal and further order of court.

      (5)   If the judge denies the expungement, the judge shall enter an order
            denying the expungement and stating the reasons for the denial.

      (6)   The judge shall issue the order granting or denying the expungement
            in writing, with copies to the defendant, defense counsel, if any, and

                                     18
                   the attorney for the Commonwealth, and shall make the order a part
                   of the docket.

      (c)   Order.

            (1)    Every order for expungement shall include:

                   (i)      the defendant's name and any aliases that the defendant has
                            used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

                   (ii)     the name and address of the judge of the court of common
                            pleas or of the Philadelphia Municipal Court, whichever
                            applies, who heard the case;

                   (iii)    the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                            complaint or citation, if available;

                   (iv)     the Philadelphia Municipal Court docket number or the court
                            of common pleas docket number, whichever applies;

                   (v)      the offense tracking number (OTN);

                   (vi)     the date on the citation or complaint, or the date of arrest, and,
                            if available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

                   (vii)    the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                            document, to be expunged;

                   (viii)   a statement that all the charges resulted in a not guilty finding;
                            and

                   (ix)     the criminal justice agencies upon which certified copies of the
                            order shall be served.

                   Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

            (2)    The clerk of courts shall serve a certified copy of the order to each
                   criminal justice agency identified in the court’s order and to all other
                   entities required to be notified by statute.

Comment: This rule was adopted in 2023 to provide procedures for the expungement of
court cases that resulted in acquittals as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4).

                                            19
      For the ability of the parties, with the consent of the court, to waive a hearing
pursuant to subdivision (b)(2), see 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4)(iii).

       See also Rule 320 (Procedure for Expungement Upon Successful Completion of
ARD Program); Rule 490 (Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Summary Cases;
Expungement Order); Rule 790 (Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Court Cases;
Expungement Order); Rule 791 (Procedure for Obtaining Order for Limited Access in
Court Cases; Order for Limited Access); 35 P.S. § 780-119 for expungement procedures
under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act; and for expungement
procedures in summary cases satisfying the requirements of 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4)
regarding complete acquittals, see Rule 490.2 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals
in Summary Cases; Expungement Order).

                                          20
Rule 791. Procedure for Obtaining Order for Limited Access in Court Cases; Order
          for Limited Access.

      ([A]a) [PETITION FOR ORDER FOR LIMITED ACCESS] Petition for Order for
             Limited Access.

            (1)   Pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1, an individual who satisfies the
                  statutory requirements for obtaining an order for limited access may
                  request an order that limits the dissemination of his or her criminal
                  history record information by filing a petition with the clerk of the
                  courts of the judicial district in which the charges were disposed.

            (2)   The petition shall set forth:

                  ([a]i) the petitioner's name and any aliases that the petitioner has
                         used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

                  ([b]ii) the name and address of the judge of the court of common
                          pleas, magisterial district judge, or Philadelphia Municipal
                          Court judge who accepted the guilty plea or heard the case;

                  ([c]iii) the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                           complaint, if available;

                  ([d]iv) the court of common pleas docket number, magisterial district
                          court docket number, or the Philadelphia Municipal Court
                          docket number, whichever applies;

                  ([e]v) the offense tracking number (OTN);

                  ([f]vi) the date on the complaint, or the date of arrest, and, if
                          available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

                  ([g]vii)the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                          document, to be subject to limited access;

                  ([h]viii)the disposition, whether the fee previously authorized to
                          carry out the limited access and clean slate limited
                          access provisions has been paid, and, if the sentence
                          includes [a fine, costs, or] restitution, whether the amount
                          due for restitution has been paid;

                  ([i]ix) the reason(s) for the order for limited access;

                                          21
           ([j]x) a statement that the case qualifies for a limited access order
                   and none of the exceptions under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1(b) are
                   applicable; and

           ([k]xi) a verification by the petitioner that facts set forth in the petition
                   are true and correct to the best of the petitioner's personal
                   knowledge or information and belief. The verification may be
                   by a sworn affidavit or by an unsworn written statement that
                   the facts are verified subject to the penalties for unsworn
                   falsification to authorities under the Crimes Code § 4904, 18
                   Pa.C.S. § 4904.

           Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

     (3)   Unless the attorney for the Commonwealth agrees to waive this
           requirement, a current copy of the petitioner’s Pennsylvania State
           Police criminal history report shall be attached to the petition. The
           copy shall be obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police within 60
           days before filing the petition. Absent a waiver by the attorney for
           the Commonwealth, the court shall not rule upon the petition until the
           Pennsylvania State Police criminal history report is filed.

     (4)   A copy of the petition shall be served on the attorney for the
           Commonwealth concurrently with filing.

([B]b) [OBJECTIONS; HEARING] Objections; Hearing.

     (1)   Within 30 days after service of the petition, the attorney for the
           Commonwealth shall file a consent or objection to the petition or take
           no action. The attorney for the Commonwealth’s consent or
           objection shall be filed with the clerk of courts, and copies shall be
           served on the petitioner's attorney, or the petitioner if unrepresented.

     (2)   Upon receipt of the attorney for the Commonwealth’s response, or
           no later than 14 days after the expiration of the 30-day period in
           [paragraph] subdivision [(B)(1)] (b)(1), the judge of the court of
           common pleas shall grant or deny the petition or shall schedule a
           hearing.

     (3)   At the hearing, if any, the parties shall be afforded an opportunity to
           be heard. Following the hearing, the judge promptly shall enter an
           order granting or denying the petition.

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     (4)   If the judge grants the petition for limited access, the judge shall enter
           an order directing that the petitioner’s criminal record history
           information that is subject to the limited access order shall not be
           disseminated to an individual, a noncriminal justice agency, or an
           internet website and that dissemination of the petitioner’s criminal
           record history be limited only to a criminal justice agency or
           government agency as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1.

           ([a]i) The order shall contain the information required in [paragraph]
                   subdivision [(C)] (c).

           ([b]ii) Except when the attorney for the Commonwealth has filed a
                   consent to the petition pursuant to [paragraph] subdivision
                   [(B)(1)] (b)(1), the order shall be stayed for 30 days pending
                   an appeal. If a timely notice of appeal is filed, the order for
                   limited access is stayed pending the disposition of the appeal
                   and further order of court.

     (5)   If the judge denies the petition for an order of limited access, the
           judge shall enter an order denying the petition and stating the
           reasons for the denial.

     (6)   If the judge grants the petition for an order of limited access, the
           petition and order are subject to limited access.

([C]c) [ORDER] Order.

     (1)   Every order for limited access shall include:

           ([a]i) the petitioner's name and any aliases that the petitioner has
                  used, address, date of birth, and social security number;

           ([b]ii) the name and address of the judge of the court of common
                   pleas, magisterial district judge, or Philadelphia Municipal
                   Court judge who accepted the guilty plea or heard the case;

           ([c]iii) the name and mailing address of the affiant as shown on the
                    complaint, if available;

           ([d]iv) the court of common pleas docket number, magisterial district
                   court docket number, or the Philadelphia Municipal Court
                   docket number, whichever applies;

                                   23
                      ([e]v) the offense tracking number (OTN);

                      ([f]vi) the date on the complaint, or the date of arrest, and, if
                              available, the criminal justice agency that made the arrest;

                      ([g]vii)the specific charges, as they appear on the charging
                              document, to be subject to limited access;

                      ([h]viii)the disposition, whether the fee previously authorized to
                              carry out the limited access and clean slate limited
                              access provisions has been paid, and, if the sentence
                              includes [a fine, costs, or] restitution, whether the amount
                              due for restitution has been paid;

                      ([i]ix) the reason(s) for the order for limited access;

                      ([j]x) a statement that the case qualifies for a limited access order
                             and none of the exceptions under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1(b) are
                             applicable; and

                      ([k]xi) the criminal justice agencies upon which certified copies of the
                              order shall be served.

                      Additional information shall not be required by local rule or practice.

              (2)     The clerk of courts shall serve a certified copy of the [O]order to each
                      criminal justice agency identified in the court’s [O]order and to all
                      other entities required to be notified by statute.

Comment: Section 9122.1 of the Criminal Code provides for an order limiting
dissemination of a record of a criminal conviction for a misdemeanor of the second
degree, a misdemeanor of the third degree, or an ungraded misdemeanor which carries
a maximum penalty of no more than two years only to a criminal justice agency or
government agency. This rule, adopted in 2016, provides the procedures for requesting
and ordering an order for limited access as provided in the statute.

       This rule sets forth the only information that must be included in every petition and
order for limited access.

       The petition must be filed with the clerk of courts of the judicial district in which the
charges that are the subject of the petition were disposed. The petition must be decided
by a judge of the court of common pleas, even if the charges that are the subject of the

                                              24
petition were disposed by a magisterial district judge or Philadelphia Municipal Court
judge.

        [Paragraph] Subdivision [(A)(3)] (a)(3) requires the petitioner to attach a copy of
his or her criminal history report to the petition. The attorney for the Commonwealth may
waive the requirement that the criminal history report be attached to the petition. The
Commonwealth’s agreement to the waiver may be made orally or in writing, or averred in
the petition.

       A form petition and form order for limited access has been created by the
Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, in consultation with the Committee, and is
available at the following website: http://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public.

       “Petition,” as used in this rule, is a “motion” for purposes of Rules 575, 576, and
577.

       The "reason for the order for limited access" in [paragraph] subdivisions
[(A)(2)(i)] (a)(2)(ix) and [(C)(1)(i)] (c)(1)(ix) means, for example, the defendant’s freedom
from arrest or prosecution for 10 years.

       For the procedures for filing and service of petitions, see Rule 576.

       For the procedures for filing and service of orders, see Rule 114.

      When a summons instead of an arrest warrant is issued pursuant to Rule 519, the
date of the summons constitutes the "date of arrest" for purposes of [paragraph]
subdivision [(A)(2)(f)] (a)(2)(vi).

       For purposes of this rule, "criminal justice agency" includes police departments,
county detectives, and other law enforcement agencies. See also 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102.
For the definition of “government agency,” see 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b.1) and (b.2).

       Nothing in this rule is intended to alter procedures regarding expungement. See
Rule 320 [for the procedures for expungement following the successful completion
of an ARD program in a court case,] (Procedure for Expungement Upon Successful
Completion of ARD Program); Rule 490 [for summary case expungement
procedures,] (Procedure for Obtaining Expungement in Summary Cases;
Expungement Order); Rule 790 [for court case expungement,] (Procedure for
Obtaining Expungement in Court Cases; Expungement Order); [and] 35 P.S. § 780-
119 for expungement procedures under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and
Cosmetic Act; and for expungement procedures in cases satisfying the
requirements of 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122(a)(4) regarding complete acquittals, see Rule
490.2 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Summary Cases; Expungement

                                             25
Order) and Rule 790.2 (Procedure for Expungement of Acquittals in Court Cases;
Expungement Order).

       Concerning standing, see In Re Administrative Order No. 1-MD-2003, 936 A.2d 1
(Pa. 2007); Commonwealth v. J.H., 759 A.2d 1269 (Pa. 2000).

            [NOTE: Adopted November 1, 2016, effective November
            14, 2016.

      *            *            *            *            *            *

      COMMITTEE EXPLANATORY REPORTS:

      Final Report explaining new Rule 791 providing the procedures for
      orders for limited access in court cases published with the Court’s
      Order at 46 Pa.B. 7439 (November 26, 2016).]

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