Pennsylvania To Overhaul Probation System, Seal More Criminal Records

December 17, 2023 3:50 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania has new laws to allow more criminal records to be sealed from public view and to try to reduce the number of people who are on probation or in jails in Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bills Thursday, a day after lawmakers passed both with large majorities. The probation law aims to limit the length of probation and prevent people from being sent back to jail for minor violations. However, it drew criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union, which says it doesn’t fix problems that plague the state’s probation system. The other bill allows courts to seal more records of non-violent drug felonies and more quickly seal other records.