EASTON, Pa. — Easton Councilman Frank Pintabone announced he will host a Clean Slate information session on Saturday, July 12, to help residents understand their rights and start the process of clearing their eligible criminal records.
Clean Slate was originally enacted in 2018 and expanded in 2024.
The act allows for the sealing or expungement of certain low-level criminal records, offering individuals a second chance and clearer path to secure employment, housing and other opportunities.
An automatic Clean Slate can start as soon as five years after a summary offense; seven years after misdemeanor 2 and 3 offenses; and 10 years after felony drug offenses.
Petitioned Clean Slates can begin seven years after a misdemeanor 1 charge, and 10 years after felony 3 or felony drug charges.
Eligibility depends on numerous factors, including the individual’s prior criminal record, the grading of the offense or offenses, and the length of time that person has stayed out of trouble.
Some nonviolent crimes can be sealed, including theft, forgery, drug charges and other offenses.
Pintabone said he was inspired to make the session during his time pursuing a marijuana decriminalization bill in Easton.
While meeting with people throughout the community, Pintabone spoke with many who had a record from a minor crime committed years ago.
And when some people with even minor records cannot find employment or housing due to their history, recidivism is often the only way to get by.
“So I want people to know about it. I want them to take advantage of it," Pintabone said. "Get the stuff off their record that's hindering them from an education. Get the stuff off their record that's hindering them from getting a good job or a license, or whatever the case may be, right? So they can get a better job, so they contribute more to society. You have people that made a mistake 20, 30, years ago, and they're still being hindered by this.”
Session topics will include a detailed overview of the law, eligibility requirements, and the steps to take in order to start the process.
Attorneys will be available on-site to discuss individual cases and, for those who qualify, begin the legal process during the event. Eligible participants could even receive free legal services to seal or expunge their records.
Joining Pintabone will be State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia and primary author of the Clean Slate legislation; Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta; Joseph Welsh, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute; and defense attorneys Tyree Blair and Gary Asteak, who will offer one-on-one guidance and legal support.
The event is set to run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Greater Shiloh Church Chapel Hill Fellowship Hall, located at 201 Thomas Bright Avenue in Easton.
This event is free and open to the public. Community members with past low-level convictions are strongly encouraged to attend and explore their options for a fresh start.
“The state has given a pathway for a lot of these people to get rid of that blemish on their record and and lead a more successful life, not only for them and their family but for their whole community,” Pintabone said.
“So I wanted to make sure people were aware of it, the people that can take advantage of it. And it's just about strengthening the community by strengthening the people.”
