Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

striking a prior strike/process to get prop back

1.Is it possible to get a prior strike (1989) stricken from someones record who is currently in custody? John Doe was drunk & entered hi neighbors house & stole a stereo. He is now facing identity theft, receiving stolen prop, possesion of cont. sub etc.2.What is the process of getting back property that was confiscated by the P.D. at the time of the arrest? Not all of the property was stolen, but no property receipt was given to person in custody. Thank you!


Asked on 12/09/03, 5:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: striking a prior strike/process to get prop back

The phrase "striking a prior" makes it sound as if the prior is being removed from the defendant's record, but that is not really what happens. Priors are stricken at the time of sentencing on a new offense, and what really happens is that the judge strikes the allegation that the defendant has the prior. The prior itself remains on the defendant's record and can be used against him in the future if he is prosecuted for another crime.

If I read your question correctly, you hope to get the prior removed from the defendant's record before he goes to trial. As I explained, it doesn't work that way (you can try to get it expunged, but that is a different process altogether and I'm not sure how it would affect his potential punishment here). If he is convicted, his attorney can ask the judge at the time of sentencing to strike the prior. Whether the judge will do so depends on a lot of specific facts about the current offense, the prior offense and the defendant himself. It also depends on the judge's own view of striking priors.

Good luck.

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Answered on 12/10/03, 1:51 pm


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