Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Petty theft charge, can I exponge it?

I'm being charged with petty theft, $12.89 (was actually only worth $10.80 but I guess that doesn't matter) I can't afford an attourny, but I never plan to do anything this stupid again so here is my question.

Even if I lose my case, and I'm charged with a misdomenor for petty theft can I just have my record exponged? And does that mean that no one can look at it, even if I apply for a government job? How long would I have to wait before I tried to exponge it?

I 19, have no previous arrest record and all my records up to my 18th birthday have been sealed anyway. Please help me.


Asked on 10/18/07, 3:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Petty theft charge, can I exponge it?

Records are forever. If you end up with a conviction on your record for this, yes you can ultimately get it expunged, but both the conviction and expungement remain part of your record FOREVER. You will have to disclose all the details on any application for government employment, licensing, bonding, security clearance, etc. Whether they disqualify you for the position is up to them. Expungement will allow you to say 'no' to conviction on most private employment applications however. If convicted, and if without any further criminal charges later, after you've completed all terms of probation contact me for help in expungement.

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Answered on 10/18/07, 5:25 pm


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