Los Angeles Expungement Attorney
What is an expungement?
In California, an expungement is a legal process by which a criminal conviction resulting from a guilty plea, "no contest" plea or a finding of guilt by a judge or jury is set aside and the case is dismissed. Although the arrest, prosecution and conviction record still exists, a notation in the court file, as well as in the California Department of Justice and FBI files, reflect the plea of not guilty and the case dismissal. If you have questions regarding whether your criminal record can be expunged, please contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates. Our combined background in criminal law spans 70 years and over that time period we have assisted countless people with criminal expungement issues. Please schedule a free consultation and we will gladly sit down with you and determine whether your case meets the eligibility requirements. With the prospect just around the corner of freedom from the penalties and disabilities that criminal convictions carry, don't you owe it to yourself to try?
Expungement Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles
Your criminal record consists of all of your arrests and convictions, even if some arrests were dismissed, rejected, never filed or if you were not convicted. Although expungement applies only to convictions, we can also help you get your arrests removed, also known as sealing records, by assisting you with filing a Petition for Factual Innocence. If you do have convictions, however, according to the California Expungement Law, Section 1203.4, the majority are eligible for clearing, including felonies and misdemeanors, with the exception of most traffic offenses and sex crimes.
A criminal record can severely limit a person's future earning power and many of the benefits of society that we often take for granted. Thanks to the Internet, today more employers are running background checks on current and potential employees, and have easier access to peoples' past than ever before. Some of the limitations of a criminal record include:
- Getting a good job
- Obtaining credit
- Renting a place to live
- Voting
- Obtaining certain licenses (nursing, realtor, medical and others)
- Running for political positions
By hiring our firm to assist with your expungement case, you will have at your side experienced negotiators who intimately know the laws in California and can give you the best chance of successfully reaching your desired goal. Imagine how freeing it will be to apply for credit, be eligible for employment, run for office and overall just compete fairly and honestly in society! When filling out most forms, you will be able to lawfully answer "No" to questions asking if you have ever been convicted of a crime, and you can once again hold your head high and feel confident without the underlying worry that someone will find out your criminal background.
Eligibility for expungement is based on several conditions, some of which include:
- No state prison sentence for felony convictions
- Successful probation completion
- One year since date of judgment in non-probation cases
- Compliance with all court orders
- No subsequent offenses
- Current honest and upright lifestyle
A frequently asked question is whether an expunged criminal record can be reversed; the answer is "No." You must keep in mind, however, that if you are charged criminally again, the expunged convictions can be used against you. In addition, on all government forms, you must reveal (upon request) your expunged criminal convictions, and you will still not be able to possess a firearm capable of being concealed on your person.
We are ready to assist you in determining your expungement eligibility and in filing the Adult Record Clearance Application with the State of California. We have the knowledge and the legal expertise to work diligently on your behalf and can draft all the necessary documents, prepare you for court and represent you before the expungement judge. Rest assured, our law firm is your best choice to obtain a clear record and a dismissal of your original charge.
For a criminal defense team with a proven record of success, contact a Los Angeles expungement attorney today.