California Expungement and Pardon Law Attorneys for the LGBT Community

Legal Definition of Expungement in California

An expungement is legally defined as the legal process of destroying or sealing an’s individual’s criminal conviction from the state or Federal government’s records.

Eligibility for an Expungement in California

A defendant convicted of a misdemeanor or felony is potentially eligible for an expungement if:

• The defendant successfully completed probation AND
• The defendant did not serve time in a state prison OR
• The defendant did serve time in state prison, but would have served time in a county prison if the crime was committed after Realignment was implemented by Proposition 47

If you violated your terms of probation, you still may be eligible for an expungement, depending on the given circumstances.

A defendant convicted of a misdemeanor or felony is NOT eligible for an expungement if:

• The defendant is currently on probation for the given offense
• The defendant is currently serving a sentence for the given offense
• The defendant is currently charged with the given offense
• The defendant is convicted of sodomy with a child
• The defendant is convicted of lewd acts with a child
• The defendant is convicted of statutory rape
• The defendant is convicted of oral copulation with a child

The California Department of Justice will review and potentially seal all marijuana convictions prior to its legalization by July 1st, 2020.

What an Expungement Can Do

You can truthfully answer “No” if an employer or creditor asks you if you’ve ever been convicted of a crime.

• It may help you with some job licenses and certificates.
• It can improve your credit rating.
• It can help you with housing and loan applications.
• An expungement can restore student loan eligibility after a drug conviction.
• It may help if you are trying to change your immigration status.

Will an expungement erase my criminal record?

It does not erase your record. The charge will still appear on your record, but it will show as being DISMISSED.

Can the expunged conviction be used as a prior conviction to increase my sentence if charged with a different crime in the future?

The expunged conviction can still be used as a prior conviction to increase your sentence if you are charged with a different crime in the future.

Can the expunged conviction be used as a strike in sentencing?

If the expunged conviction was a “strike,” it can still be used as a strike in sentencing.

Will an expungement allow me to regain my firearm rights?

If you lost your firearm rights, it will not automatically restore your ability to possess a firearm. In some cases, you can get your felony reduced to a misdemeanor. Another legal option is to apply for a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon.

Will I still have to register as a sex offender after the conviction is expunged?

If you have to register as a sex offender, you will still have to register even after the conviction is expunged. You can petition for a Certificate of Rehabilitation after your expungement is granted.

Do all licensing agencies recognize expungements?

Some licensing agencies do not recognize expungements when they decide to grant or deny a license. You should contact the appropriate licensing agency about their policy.

Do I need to admit my conviction when applying for a government job?

If applying for a government job, you must still admit your conviction if asked whether you have ever been convicted. However, you can note that the case was dismissed per Penal Code section 1203.4.

Will an expungement help me regain my suspended license?

If your driver’s license has been suspended, expungement of the conviction will not affect your license; it will still be suspended. Expungement does not affect your DMV record.

I was sent to state prison. Can my conviction be expunged?

You cannot expunge a conviction if you were sent to state prison.

Can any crime be expunged?

Certain criminal offenses in California cannot be expunged, including some sex offenses.

About California DUI Expungements

Many people believe that a DUI conviction goes off your record after ten years. This is not true. It stays on your record for life unless you have the conviction expunged. It is important to note that expungement does not affect your DMV record.

California allows you to have your DUI conviction expunged after you complete your probation as long as you are not facing any current charges or on probation for another offense and your sentence did not involve state prison (as opposed to county jail). California allows you to have your DUI conviction expunged after you complete your probation. If you were not placed on probation, you can have your record expunged one year after your conviction. If your DUI conviction was a felony, it may be possible to reduce that conviction to a misdemeanor.

In the past, a person’s criminal history was improbable of being discovered by anyone but law enforcement. Although criminal records were always public information, a potential employer would not waste time sorting through millions of court records to look for criminal convictions of future employees. However, with just the touch of a button, current technology has allowed for potential employers to easily access criminal records. Solely a name and date of birth can give employers, licensing agencies, and professional organizations the ability to conduct a background check in seconds.

An expungement proceeding offers first-time offenders of a previous criminal conviction the opportunity to seal their records. In other words, the States and Federal repositories will no longer have access to these convictions and they will remain private. When an expungement is allowed, the person whose record is expunged treats the event as if it never happened. Nevertheless, these records are not “completely erased” because if you are convicted of another crime, the expunged conviction may be used as evidence against you in court.

FAQ

What is the difference between an expungement and a pardon?

There is a drastic difference between an expungement and a pardon, however. Whereas an expungement completely erases an event, a pardon only grants forgiveness. In the United States, an expungement can only be granted by a judge while a pardon can only be granted by the President of the United States for federal offenses. Nonetheless, pardons are rarely offered whereas expungements are offered frequently.

Will getting an expungement help me get a job?

In most cases, getting an expungement will greatly assist you in finding a job. If granted an expungement, you are not obligated to disclose your expunged criminal conviction to your potential employer. If the employer conducts a background check, the employer will see your crime as “expunged”.

I am a registered sex offender. Can my crime be expunged?

No, your crime cannot be expunged. But, your crime may be eligible for a Governer’s pardon given that you were not convicted of any sex crimes with a child.

Are You Looking for an Expungement or Pardon?

Whether you are requesting a pardon or an expungement, the attorneys within the Pride Legal network can help you immensely, as they have dealt with many of these cases before. We will help you “clear your criminal record” or “ask for forgiveness” regardless of what the case may be.

Contact a California Gay and Lesbian Expungement and Pardon Attorney today for case consultation.

Legal References:

1. California Penal Code 1203.42 PC.