A new online crime database for Philadelphia will have no effect on how Penn conducts background checks, a University official said.
Philadelphia is the last county in the state to join a statewide database that will make criminal histories of state residents readily available, including cases which resulted in acquittals.
Penn Vice President for Human Resources Jack Heuer said the University will continue using its existing background-check policy to ensure that it obtains the most accurate criminal-record information.
The database "is taking information that's readily accessible through other means and giving it electronic access," he said.
The University subcontracts background screenings to Fort Collins, Colo.-based ADP Screening and Selection Services.
Philadelphia's information will become available online May 30. The project's goal is to provide better integration and communication within Pennsylvania's court-records system.
A hearing was held in Harrisburg yesterday to address critics' concerns that the database would affect criminals' ability to obtain employment and housing.
But Heuer said that the database shouldn't affect Penn students seeking jobs after graduation since background checks have traditionally been a part of the hiring routine.
And even if students do have past encounters with the law, they may be able to ensure that employers don't see them.
People can expunge events from their records if charges were dropped or a trial ended in acquittal. The process requires filing a petition and appearing before a judge.
Leonard Armstrong, deputy director of the city's Active Criminal Records department, said that students should always expunge old records if possible, regardless of the crime they were charged with
Despite the fact that it's difficult for the state when individuals expunge their records because it eliminates traces of criminal history, especially if someone expunges more than one offense.
But Emmett Fitzpatrick, a Center City attorney, said expunging old records isn't always necessary. The lack of a conviction, he said, may be enough for some employers.
Penn Law professor David Rudovsky said that regardless of the nature of an offense, it's advisable to expunge old records.
"You're better off with no record rather than having your criminal record out there," he said.
David Price, an attorney for the Pennsylvania court system, said there are no statistics on whether the database has resulted in more requests to have old criminal records expunged.
