How record clearing works in Wayne County
In Wayne County, the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts work out of the same office at the courthouse in Honesdale. Criminal expungement and limited access petitions are filed there and assigned to a Common Pleas judge.
Wayne County’s Common Pleas criminal dockets start with CP-64-CR. Cases that began before a district judge also have a magisterial district docket starting with MJ-22. Many Wayne County cases come from State Police barracks rather than municipal departments, so the State Police are often both the arresting agency and the central repository that must update your record.
Common Wayne County cases we see
- ARD completions, including DUI ARD, that were never followed by a dismissal and expungement order
- Summary offenses, such as harassment, disorderly conduct or underage drinking, that are eligible for expungement after five years free of arrest or prosecution
- Charges withdrawn or dismissed at the preliminary hearing that still appear on the public docket
- Older misdemeanor convictions that qualify for sealing by petition or should have been sealed automatically under Clean Slate
What it costs in Wayne County
Our fee is flat: $895 for an expungement or $1,250 for a limited access petition, plus court costs. Wayne County publishes its Clerk of Courts fee schedule and updates it periodically; we confirm the current filing cost when we quote your case.
Our process
- We pull every docket. We search the statewide court system by name and date of birth, from age 18 forward, so nothing gets missed, including old magisterial district cases and anything filed in another county.
- We sort each case. Every docket is matched to expungement, limited access by petition, automatic Clean Slate, or a pardon, and you get a flat quote before we file.
- We prepare and file. We draft the petition, the proposed order with the information Pa.R.Crim.P. 790 or 791 requires, and the confidential information form, then file with the county clerk and serve the District Attorney.
- We follow it through. After the judge signs, the clerk sends the order to the State Police, the arresting agency and the other agencies listed. We confirm the updates and send you a completion packet.
Common questions
Do I need to come to Honesdale?
Usually not. Most petitions are decided without a hearing. If the District Attorney objects and the court schedules one, we tell you in advance and appear with you.
My case was handled by the State Police. Does that change anything?
No. The State Police are served with the order like any other arresting agency. They also run the central repository, which is the record most employers’ background checks rely on.
I live out of state now. Can you still help?
Yes. We file in Wayne County for you, and nearly everything can be handled by phone, email and electronic signature.