California Criminal Expungements
MISDEMEANOR CONVICTIONS – FELONY CONVICTIONS SEAL ARREST RECORDS – SEAL JUVENILE RECORDS EARLY TERMINATION OF PROBATION
Having a criminal record in California can have a long lasting and paralyzing effect on your life. It can prevent you from getting a job, obtaining a professional license, obtaining credit, renting an apartment and even voting. It was not long ago when a person’s criminal record went unchecked. However, with the amount of information available today, companies, institutions, professional licensing organizations and potential employers are conducting extensive background checks into our personal affairs. Using only your name and date of birth, they are able to gain information about your criminal history through access to criminal index databases. Moreover, we are asked to disclose more information about ourselves than ever before. For example, most employment applications ask you to not only disclose if you have ever been convicted of a criminal offense, but also if you have ever been arrested. An answer of “yes” to either of these questions is almost certain disqualification from employment.
What can be done?
Fortunately, in California, there is a process by which someone with a criminal record can obtain relief. This process is called a criminal expungement. This is a legal process by which a court allows you to withdraw your “guilty” or “no contest” plea and dismiss the case, as if it did not happen. In cases involving a verdict of guilt by a jury or court after trial, the court will set aside the guilty verdict. In either case, if successful, you will be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the criminal offense.
In addition to a criminal record expungement, there are a number of other remedies available to you that will assist in relieving you of the burden of your past actions. These include:
- Withdrawing guilty pleas
- Reducing felony convictions to misdemeanors
- Sealing and destroying juvenile records
- Sealing arrest records
- Petition for early termination of probation
If you or a loved one has a criminal record, there is no reason not to have it expunged. This is a legal remedy that can only help and never hurt you. A qualified California criminal defense expungement lawyer, such as Gabriel Dorman, will assess your case, determine your eligibility for relief and assist in relieving you of the incredible burden a criminal record can have on your life. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
