If you’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony charge and you’ve already served all of the penalties for the crime, it can be disheartening to know that you’ll have a criminal record looming over you for the rest of your life. No matter how hard you try to reinvent yourself, this record can be viewed by employers and other officials who perform background checks.
Being a criminal in the eyes of society may prevent you from moving forward in life. In the state of California, however, it’s possible to have your criminal record expunged in certain circumstances. An experienced attorney from Crowell Law Offices can assist you through the expungement process so that you can begin picking up the pieces of your life without a tarnished reputation.
Having a misdemeanor or felony charge on your record can be detrimental to your future in many ways. Background checks are often used when applying for a job, applying for housing, registering to vote, or buying a gun. Your charges will show up on these reports every time. In fact, with a felony conviction on your record, you aren’t legally able to vote or buy a gun.
Aside from your conviction showing on a background check, people in society will view you differently when knowing you have a criminal record. No matter how many years have passed, many people have a hard time erasing their impressions of you from previous incidents. Getting an expungement can help clear your name and give you a fresh start.
To be eligible for expungement, you’ll need to have served all penalties for the offense in question, including probation. You also must not have served time in state prison for the offense. If you did serve time in prison but would’ve served time in jail had the crime been committed before Proposition 47, then you’re still eligible. Proposition 47 reduced the penalties for certain drug and theft crimes.
Those charged with certain sex crimes aren’t eligible for expungement regardless of whether they’ve served their time and completed probation for the offense.
In order to get your record successfully expunged in California, your defense lawyer in Sacramento can review your case to ensure that you’re eligible and then file a petition for expungement with the court. As long as you meet all of the requirements for eligibility, then the court should approve your expungement request.
Some expungement cases can be more complex than others depending on the circumstances of your charges. If you’re unsure of whether you meet the eligibility requirements, an attorney can help determine whether you qualify. At Crowell Law Offices, we’ll do our best to help clear your record so that you can move forward in life with a clean slate.
To speak with a Sacramento criminal defense lawyer about your case, call 916-303-2800 or visit our website for more information.
Crowell Law Offices represent clients throughout Northern California with local offices in Sacramento, Placer and Yolo Counties, California. Our personal injury firm defends people who've been injured by another's negligence: auto accidents, brain/spine injuries, child injuries, catastrophic injuries and wrongful death cases.... View full business profile here: Crowell Law Offices
