Expungements

Santa Rosa Expungement Lawyer

Helping Clients in Sonoma County Understand The Expungement Process in California

In California, an expungement is a process by which a person's criminal convictions are dismissed under Penal Code section 1203.4. The previously entered guilty or "no contest" plea or finding of guilt by a judge or jury is wholly set aside by the California court, and the case is ultimately dismissed! An expungement does not entirely seal or destroy a person's criminal record, but it relieves the defendant of specific penalties they faced from their conviction.

What Crimes are Expungable in California?

Not all criminal convictions can be expunged. Most misdemeanors, as well as some felonies, qualify for expungement and dismissal. Felony convictions may be expunged as long as the defendant did not serve time in State Prison and completed all the terms of probation.

Related: What Can Happen If You Violate Probation?

While it does not determine whether a person is eligible to apply for an expungement, the number of convictions a person has on their criminal record, as well as the dates of those convictions, are also factors the court will consider when deciding whether to grant an expungement and dismiss a defendant's past conviction.

Call the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. at (707) 418-5352 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our expungement attorney in Santa Rosa!

Why Is an Expungement Important?

A criminal record can prevent you from getting a good job, obtaining credit, voting, or obtaining specific professional licenses. It can even affect your ability to become a United States citizen and obtain other social benefits. It may also prevent you from traveling to certain countries where even a misdemeanor DUI conviction may prevent entry—expungements and clearing your criminal record to dismiss your prior criminal convictions from the public record. Aside from the personal satisfaction of having your convictions dismissed, obtaining an expungement in California has many benefits.

Here are a few of the top benefits of clearing your California criminal record:

Ability to Obtain Employment or Promotion: Most people trying to clear their criminal record are doing so to help them get a new job, a better job, or a promotion at their current job. Today, almost every employer (private and public) does a thorough background check before hiring someone. If your record and convictions are expunged (dismissed) you can truthfully and lawfully answer “no” if asked by a potential employer whether you have been convicted of a crime.
Ability to Obtain a State License For Your Profession: Many jobs today require you to be licensed by the State of California to do your job. Whether you work as a registered nurse, EMT, contractor, teacher, cosmetologist, bartender, accountant, real estate broker, or any other number of professions requiring a license, the presence of a criminal conviction could be the difference between obtaining your license and being denied (again). You are still required to disclose convictions on any application for a state license, as required by law, but an expungement is the first step toward showing the licensing agencies you are a law-abiding citizen and have taken responsibility to clear up any prior convictions.
Restoration of Student Loan Eligibility: Many students don’t realize that even a minor drug conviction can prevent them from obtaining student aid such as grants and student loans. An expungement can help restore student loan eligibility after a drug conviction in some of these circumstances.
Applying for and Obtaining Credit: By clearing a criminal record, it may improve your overall eligibility and present a more favorable image to creditors. The impact varies based on the lender's policies, the severity of the expunged charge, and other factors.

Contact Our Santa Rosa Expungement Attorney

Is a prior criminal conviction on your record preventing you from getting a job? Are you trying to get a state license for your trade or profession? Are you worried about a minor conviction from your past ending your chances of becoming a United States citizen?

Let our Santa Rosa expungement attorney at the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. help you get your criminal record cleared of DUI, misdemeanor, and felony convictions! Obtaining an expungement of your criminal convictions under Penal Code section 1203.4 is the first step to getting a fresh, clean record!

Why Choose Our Santa Rosa Expungement Lawyer?

1,000s of criminal cases skillfully handled
Voted into Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠ 2015
Client Distinction Award from Martindale-Hubbell®
Available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

The Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. is located in downtown Santa Rosa, California, which is conveniently near the Sonoma County Courthouse and Jail facilities. Our criminal defense team is also accessible by phone 24/7, so you know you can always reach us whenever you need our help!

Contact the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. at (707) 418-5352 to schedule a FREE consultation with our expungement lawyer in Santa Rosa!

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