Question 1

How do I know if I qualify for an expungement in California?

Accepted Answer

The basic requirements are that you completed probation without serving time in state prison, and you are not currently charged with, on probation for, or serving a sentence for any other crime. Some sex offense convictions are not eligible. The fastest way to find out is to call us. We can review your record quickly and give you a straight answer.

Question 2

What does an expungement actually do to my record?

Accepted Answer

Under Penal Code 1203.4, your guilty plea is withdrawn, a not-guilty plea is entered, and the case is dismissed. The arrest and charge still appear in court records if someone looks hard enough, but the conviction itself is dismissed. Most private employers who ask 'have you ever been convicted of a crime' will see a dismissed case, not a conviction.

Question 3

Can I answer 'no' on a job application after my record is expunged?

Accepted Answer

For most private sector jobs, yes. Once your case is dismissed under 1203.4, you can legally say you have not been convicted of that crime when applying for most private employment. The exceptions are government jobs, professional licenses in certain fields, and positions requiring security clearances, where you may need to disclose the conviction but can note it was dismissed.

Question 4

Does an expungement restore my gun rights?

Accepted Answer

No. An expungement under 1203.4 does not restore firearm rights that were taken away by a conviction. Restoring gun rights in California requires a separate legal process through a Certificate of Rehabilitation and sometimes a Governor's pardon. We can tell you what path is available in your specific situation.

Question 5

What if I violated probation? Am I still eligible?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. A probation violation does not automatically disqualify you. The court has discretion to grant expungement in the interest of justice even if probation was not perfectly completed. We have had significant success with clients in this situation. The strength of the argument depends on the circumstances of the violation and what you have done since.

Question 6

How long does the expungement process take in California?

Accepted Answer

Generally two to four months from filing to a final court order, depending on the county and court calendar. Los Angeles courts can take a bit longer due to volume. We handle the entire process including preparing and filing the petition, attending the hearing, and getting the order to the relevant agencies. You usually do not need to appear in court yourself.

Question 7

What is the difference between an expungement and a Certificate of Rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

An expungement under 1203.4 dismisses the conviction and is available to most people who completed probation. A Certificate of Rehabilitation is a court order declaring you have been rehabilitated, is available to people who completed state prison sentences, and can be a step toward a Governor's pardon. They serve different purposes and have different eligibility requirements.

Question 8

Will an expungement remove my conviction from background check databases?

Accepted Answer

It should cause most consumer background check companies to show the case as dismissed, but the California Department of Justice will still maintain a record. FBI databases may also retain the original conviction information. The practical effect varies depending on how thorough the background check is and which databases the employer uses. For most private employment purposes, the expungement works as intended.

Question 9

Can I get a professional license with an expunged conviction?

Accepted Answer

An expungement significantly improves your chances of obtaining a professional license, and you can tell many licensing boards that your conviction was dismissed. However, licensing boards conduct their own reviews and have discretion. We have helped clients navigate this process and can advise on how to present your expunged record to a licensing board.

Los Angeles Expungement Attorney.

Who is eligible

Who is NOT eligible

What an expungement does

What it does NOT do

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