The state of California allows for people who have been convicted of a crime a chance to have their conviction expunged (dismissed) if they meet certain requirements. 

The court will receive and, generally, grant petitions for expungement if (1) probation was successfully completed, or, if no probation was granted, a year has passed since the conviction; (2) all fines, restitution and reimbursement ordered by the court has been paid; (3) the petitioner is not now on probation for another offense; and (4) the petitioner has no new pending cases.   The court then withdraws the plea or finding of guilt, enters a “not guilty” plea, and then orders that the case be dismissed.  Or in the words of the statute: “he or she shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided..."

BENEFITS OF CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT

Expungement allows you to honestly tell employers that you have not been convicted of a crime.  However, when applying for a state professional license or job that is considered a public office (e.g. mayor), you must disclose that you have had a conviction expunged. 

Expungement has many positive benefits, but it does not restore rights to own or possess a firearm until you would otherwise be able to do so.  Nor does it remove the conviction from being used to increase your punishment for certain convictions (such as DUI or theft).  However, in many cases we can reduce a conviction from a felony to a misdemeanor and restore the right to possess and own a firearm.

The costs for the procedure are rather modest in comparison to the personal and professional gains that having convictions erased can bring. The process usually takes a few weeks and it can be started over the phone.

We can assist you no matter where you are in California... see our affiliate site at http://www.recordgone.com.

For more information about expungement, please call Mathew Higbeee at (714) 361-1967 or send email to [email protected]