San Diego Criminal Attorneys Blog
Past convictions can be expunged to help you better your future. Often, a criminal record can be a barrier to certain schooling, obtaining licenses, and certain employment. The Leslie Legal Group can help expunge your criminal convictions and clear your record. If you have been convicted of a felony, then we will first work to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor prior to obtaining an expungement. In many cases, this is an easy process, and all you will need to do is provide your name, date of birth, and the court in which you were convicted. And you may never have to go to court to clear your record. We have handled hundreds of criminal record expungements for clients in and out of San Diego.
Expungement: What You Should Understand
In California, criminal record expungement is governed by Penal Code 1203.4. One of the most important things to understand about expungement is that once it is granted, your case is not sealed. Expungement doesn’t actually mean erasure, as if the crime had never been committed. It is more equivalent to dismissal; your conviction will stay on your record for certain purposes, including sex offender registration and immigration. Penal Code 1203.4 states that the defendant is “released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense.” This statement, however, has limitations.