Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Start by checking with the lawyer who represented you. Many private lawyers and public defenders will help former clients at little or no cost.

If not, go to the clerk's office at the court where you were convicted and ask for a 1203.4 packet. It should contain all the forms and instructions you need.

There is also help available on the California Courts official website.

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/other/crimlawclean.htm

Try this website:

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/other/crimlawclean.htm

If you need additional assistance, contact an attorney who handles this area of law. It's a fairly simple process and as long as you have completed all terms of probation and stayed out of trouble since you were convicted, you should probably be able to expunge a misdemeanor off your record.

Because most attorneys who specialize in criminal defense give FREE consultations, it would always be a good idea to speak to an attorney in or near your area. Best Wishes...God Bless you. David Wallin

The gerneral rules are:

Many felony and misdemeanor convictions [not infractions] can sometimes be 'expunged' by proper application and Petition to the court, but only if there was no prison time served or even sentenced, if it was not for certain sex and Domestic Violence crimes, if all terms of sentencing and probation [and at least one year of probation] are completed and finished, and if there are no new charges pending. If successful, the conviction would be retroactively withdrawn and the charges dismissed. That does not 'remove' the conviction, but merely changes the record to show 'conviction reversed and dismissed by expungement'. If expunged, you would be able to say 'no' to conviction on most private employment applications. However, the conviction is still a 'prior' for purposes of repeat offense, and must be disclosed on any application for government and professional licensing, bonding, security clearance, etc. The agency and employer then can decide whether you are barred from licensing and employment because of your conviction. If you�re serious about doing so, and you think you qualify, feel free to contact me for the legal help you'll need.