Understanding an Inactive Case Status and Disposition Date

Attorney Answer

“Inactive case status” on a Pennsylvania docket generally means the court has closed out active proceedings on that case, and the “disposition date” is the date the court recorded how the case concluded — but without knowing the type of disposition (such as a conviction, dismissal, nolle prosequi, or ARD completion), it isn't possible to say what that 8/29/2013 entry means for your situation.

Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System (UJS) Web Portal lets you look up the docket directly and see the disposition type recorded for that date, which is the fastest way to confirm exactly what happened in the case. This detail matters because it changes what options are available now. With roughly 13 years having passed since that 2013 disposition, you may be eligible to have the record expunged or sealed under Pennsylvania's record-clearing laws, depending on the grade of the offense and the type of disposition recorded — a possibility worth checking, not a guarantee.

What you can do:

1. Search the case on Pennsylvania's UJS Web Portal to confirm the charges and exact disposition type recorded.

2. Note the offense grade and disposition type once confirmed, since expungement or sealing eligibility depends on both.

3. Consult a local attorney who handles expungement and record-clearing petitions to evaluate eligibility under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 9122 or other applicable Pennsylvania record-clearing law.

4. Ask the attorney to pull your full criminal history to check for other records that might affect eligibility.

⏱ Time limits apply. Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 9122 allows expungement of certain records, including a summary offense conviction, once the individual has been free of arrest or prosecution for five years — a threshold you appear to have passed. A local attorney should review your specific record promptly to confirm eligibility and the applicable process.