Convictions don’t have to cost you permanent chances for getting a job, getting a home loan, or renting an apartment. An expungement can reduce the fear of background checks by clearing your record. A lawyer with experience in helping clients seek expungement may be able to clear your record, too.
Why You Would Want to Clear Your Record
Today’s laws can make having a criminal record difficult. Background checks may prevent you from getting a job, renting an apartment, or qualifying for a home loan. When you work with a lawyer to successfully expunge your record, the cleared conviction no longer appears on background checks. Plus, you can legally say that you have not been convicted of a crime. Expungement restarts you with a clean slate.
What Is the Expungement Process? And What Are Its Limits
The expungement process in California can be confusing and difficult, especially for those not thoroughly versed in this specific area of the law. Penal Code 1203.4 outlines who can apply to have their record expunged. Only those who have completed any requirements of the court for probation can apply for expungement. Generally, you will receive notice that you can apply to have your record cleared. However, if you are not certain, speak with a lawyer about your case.
When seeking to clear your record, understand that the process after filing the paperwork can take months before it reflects on your background checks. You may need to wait a while before you can seek home loans or apply for jobs.
Also, expungement does not restore your ability to buy a firearm if you had a felony conviction because both state and federal law govern that area. You will either need a lawyer to help you in getting your charge dropped to a misdemeanor or have the California governor pardon you.
You will also need the governor’s pardon if you want to no longer register as a sex offender. Starting in 2021, the registry on the sex offender list became tiered instead of for life. Therefore, some people could request that they no longer need to register on the list if they fulfill specific requirements. Talk to a lawyer about these specific cases.
What Can a Defense Lawyer Do to Seek Expungement?
When filing for expungement, you need a petition for dismissal and order for dismissal, both of which the California Courtsprovide. A lawyer can help you complete these forms and file them on your behalf. With the help of an attorney, you can be sure that everything on the forms is filled out correctly and that you have done everything you need to do for your expungement petition to be submitted.
Contact Steven K. Bloom for Assistance with Expungement and Other Post Conviction Legal Help
A conviction may not become a permanent strike on your record. You can seek expungement with the help of Orange County defense attorney Steven K. Bloom. Get a free evaluation of your case and see how he might help you to clear your record by contacting him today.
Sources
https://www.courts.ca.gov/42950.htm
https://www.courts.ca.gov/1070.htm
https://skbesq.com/post-conviction/
https://skbesq.com/ca-pc-1203-4-expungements-and-how-to-clean-a-criminal-record/
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1203.4.&lawCode=PEN
