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Expungements Lawyers in Los Angeles

Our California expungement attorneys can help you to clear and expunge criminal records arising from court convictions in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside or Orange County.

Why has expunging criminal records become so important?

Up until recently, a person's criminal history was unlikely to be discovered by anyone but law enforcement. Although criminal records were always public information, rarely would a potential employer sift through millions of court records to see whether a job applicant showed up.

Then "background check" companies began indexing criminal court records into vast national databases that could be searched by name and date of birth. This new technology allows potential employers, licensing agencies and professional organizations to check your criminal record in moments. For further discussion of employer background checks, we recommend you read this article by Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Fortunately, the expungement process lets you substantially clear up your criminal record, improving your chances of being offered employment, securing a professional license, or obtaining other benefits.

A Harvard Law School graduate, National TV Commentator and Former Prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse helps clients expunge criminal records, seal juvenile records, and obtain certificates of rehabilitation and pardons.

What is an expungement?

An expungement is a legal process by which you can withdraw your plea of guilty (or no contest) and have your case dismissed. The expungement process involves analysis of your case and situation, legal research, filing paperwork, and a hearing before the relevant court.

To see if you qualify to expunge your criminal record, and for a free expungement consultation at one of our local attorney offices in Los Angeles, Orange County or the Inland Emprire, contact us. We help clients to:

• Withdraw their pleas and get their cases dismissed
• Expunge misdemeanor or felony convictions
• Get felony convictions reduced to misdemeanors
• Seal and destroy juvenile records
• Get arrest records expunged
• Obtain Certificates of Rehabilitation and Pardons
• End Penal Code Sec. 290 Sex Registration
• Petition for findings of factual innocence

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. How long will my criminal record stay on the books?

A. Criminal records are maintained indefinitely. It's not true that criminal records go away after a certain amount of time.

Q. Who can access my criminal record?

A. Criminal records are "Public Records", so anyone can access your record, unless the record is sealed. This includes potential employers and licensing agencies.

Q. What happens when I Expunge my record?

A. In California, when you expunge your record, your plea of guilty or no-contest, or conviction after trial, will be set aside by a judge, a plea of "not-guilty" will be entered on your behalf and your case is then dismissed.

Q. How long does it take to expunge my record?

A. It depends on the County which you live in, but generally we can have the petition filed and heard within one to two months. In cases where clients are actively seeking employment, we seek to expedite the process.

Q. How do I find out if I qualify to have my record expunged?

A. Generally, if you committed a felony or misdemeanor and were not incarcerated in a State prison facility, and fulfilled the terms of your probation, you qualify. But you can obtain a FREE, PRIVATE evaluation by contacting us!

Q. What is "Felony Reduction"?

A. If you have a conviction for a "Wobbler" (that is, a crime that can either be charged as a felony or misdemeanor), you can generally reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor.

Q. Will you reduce my felony to a misdemeanor prior to expunging the record?

A. Yes. If your conviction is for a Wobbler, we will petition the court to have the felony reduced prior to having it expunged.

Q. Does it cost more to have my felony reduced BEFORE Expungement?

A. No. It's all included in the felony package.

Q. Do I have to appear in Court?

A. Generally not. For the expungement process, a lawyer can usually appear on your behalf through all stages of the proceedings.

Q. How will I know that my record was expunged?

A. We will provide you with a signed order by a California Superior Court Judge setting aside your conviction and dismissing your case.

Q. After my record is expunged, can I answer "No" if I'm asked whether I have a criminal record?

A. Yes. If you expunge the record of your case, you can legally answer "No" if you are asked whether you have a criminal record. There are 3 exceptions: 1) if you plan to become a peace officer or run for public office, 2) if you want to work for the California Lottery commission, or 3) if you want to apply for State license.

Q. Will expunging my record help me find a better job?

A. Often times, yes. If the employer doesn't run a background check, then they will never find out about the conviction because you can legally not disclose your prior criminal record. Even if an employer does a background check, because the record was expunged, the employer will know that you successfully completed all the terms of your sentence and are now ready to make a "fresh start".

Q. Will expunging my record help me with obtaining a State license?

A. Yes. Many of the licensing authorities require that you expunge the record of your conviction prior to the issuance of the license.

Note: If we help you obtain a "Certificate of Rehabilitation". you cannot be denied a State license.

Q. What is a "Certificate of Rehabilitation"?

A. A Certificate of Rehabilitation is a process by which a Judge in a competent court of the County, which you reside in, will determine whether you have been rehabilitated following a felony conviction. If the Judge finds that you have been successfully rehabilitated, then he or she will sign the order of rehabilitation and recommend that the Governor consider you for a Pardon.

Q. How long do I have to wait before applying for a Certificate of Rehabilitation?

A. Generally, a minimum of seven (7) years after release from custody.

Q. How long does the process of applying for a Certificate of Rehabilitation take?

A. The process can vary from county to county, but generally we can have the petition filed and heard within 120 days.

Q. What are the benefits of a Certificate of Rehabilitation?

A. There are many benefits to a Certificate of Rehabilitation. First, it's an automatic application for a Governor's pardon. Moreover, if you receive a Certificate of Rehabilitation, you cannot be denied a State license. The Certificate also indicates to prospective employers that you have overcome whatever problems led to your criminal conviction, and you have now begun a fresh start.

Q. Will I have to appear in Court for a Certificate of Rehabilitation?

A. Generally, yes. Most judges want to see and examine the candidate before granting a Certificate of Rehabilitation before. Of course, on the hearing date we will be there with you to make a case in favor of granting of the Certificate.

Q. How can my arrest record be sealed?

A. There are a number of ways to seal records. The most common are: 1) Sealing of juvenile records, 2) Sealing of arrest records, 3) Sealing of records after plea withdrawal and case dismissal.

Q. How do I know if I qualify for sealing my juvenile record?

A. Generally, if you were convicted of a crime in juvenile court and have not suffered another serious conviction in your adult life, you are eligible to seal your juvenile record. There are crimes that do not qualify for sealing.

Q. How do I find out if I qualify to have my adult (or juvenile) arrest record sealed?

A. Generally, If you are arrested and either no accusatory pleading was filed or the DA dismissed the case, or you were found not-guilty after trial, you can petition the arresting agency or the court to seal the arrest record. If you prove that you were factually innocent of the charges, then the arrest record is ordered sealed for 3 years and destroyed thereafter.

Q. How long does the process of sealing juvenile records take?

A. It depends on the county in which the conviction took place, but generally the process is completed within 6 months.

Q. Do I have to appear in Court for the sealing of my juvenile record?

A. No. For the sealing of juvenile records, we will appear on your behalf through all stages of the proceedings.

Q. How long does the process of sealing my adult arrest record take?

A. It depends on the arresting agency and the county in which you were arrested, but generally the process is completed within 90 days.

Q. Do I have to appear in Court for the sealing of my adult arrest record?

A. Depending on the court where the petition is filed, it may be necessary for you to appear in court with your attorney on the hearing date.

Q. I have a felony and can't get a green card or citizenship. Can you help me?

A. Yes. There are a number of options available to you. For example we may be able to reduce your felony to misdemeanor, therefore making you eligible for permanent residency and ultimately U.S. Citizenship. We may also be able to have your conviction set-aside completely. We've done it before and we may be able to help you too.

Q. I have to register as a sex-offender. Can you help me stop registering?

A. Yes. Certain crimes that require the defendant to register as a sex-offender also provide for options to stop the registration. The most common is convictions for certain lewd conduct crimes which require registration.

Additional Resources Regarding Expungements

Expunge Criminal Records in Las Vegas Nevada
Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers helping to clear and expunge records of criminal convictions suffered throughout the state of Nevada.

Southern California Expungements
Expungement lawyers with officers in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, San Fernando Valley, Glendale, West Covina, Pomona, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga and Riverside.

DUI Record Expungements
Expunging records in California DUI and drunk driving cases

Background Checks Explained
This guide explains the why and how of background checks. It also tells you what can be covered in a background report, your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and what you can do to prepare.

Article on Getting a Job Despite a Criminal Record
Criminal Records and Getting Back into the Workforce: Six Critical Steps for Ex-offenders Trying to Get Back into the Workforce

Problems With Background Checks
Discussion of the problem of inaccurate and incomplete records showing up in background checks of job applicants.