Record Expungement Attorney
3460 Wilshire Blvd #410, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: (424) 286-1516
Leah Legal Criminal Defense
14401 Sylvan St #112, Van Nuys, CA 91401
Phone: (818) 484-1100
Olen Firm Criminal Defense Lawyers
225 S Lake Ave STE 300, Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (213) 600-2185
Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers
355 S Grand Ave Ste 2450, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (213) 238-6991
Costen Ruiz Law
1200 Wilshire Blvd Suite 615, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (844) 426-7836
The Law Offices of Kirk Tarman & Associates
9333 Base Line Rd #100, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (909) 466-9800
Los Angeles Criminal Attorney
516 N Larchmont Blvd #1, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (424) 333-0943
CBS Law
633 W 5th St, 26th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (213) 800-8005
Eisner Gorin LLP
2121 Avenue of the Stars, 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: (818) 781-1570
SoCal Defense Lawyer
1050 Lakes Dr #225, West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (949) 390-6238
Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C.
50 Old Courthouse Sq Ste 407, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone: (707) 737-9707
Wallin & Klarich
17592 Irvine Blvd, Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: (714) 500-8508
Law Office of Stephanie Rickard
1625 The Alameda #801, San Jose, CA 95126
Phone: (408) 398-1002
Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers
6255 W Sunset Blvd Suite 1520, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 464-6453
Hart J. Levin – Los Angeles DUI Lawyers
355 S Grand Ave Ste 2450, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (310) 935-3100
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rosenberg Esq.
205 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (818) 404-3363
McCready Law Group
3701 Long Beach Blvd Ste 324, Long Beach, CA 90807
Phone: (562) 714-9516
Silver Law Firm
2100 Embarcadero #204, Oakland, CA 94606
Phone: (510) 683-5769
Kelmansky Law – DUI & Criminal Defense Attorney
7869 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: (213) 932-8922
Kareem Law APC, Criminal Defense Lawyer
1026 W Foothill Blvd Suite 101, Upland, CA 91786
Phone: (888) 506-6519
Law Office of Joni K. Eisenstein, Inc.
711 Pier View Wy, Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: (760) 721-3161
Lamano Law Office – Oakland Criminal Justice Attorney
1901 Harrison St Ste 1100, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 842-0750
DUI Attorney Los Angeles
1436 S La Cienega Blvd #111, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone: (888) 579-9996
Fresh Start Law Center, PC
30021 Tomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Phone: (800) 916-1228
Asset Forfeiture Attorney
1055 Wilshire Blvd #1996a, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (888) 571-5590
Record-Clear
212 N Yale Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
Phone: (800) 495-2819
Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners
633 W 5th St, 28th Floor, Suite 2874, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (213) 481-6811
Nagra Law Firm, P.C.
1401 El Camino Ave, Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: (916) 913-1378
William Weinberg, Attorney at Law
19200 Von Karman Ave #380, Irvine, CA 92612
Phone: (949) 474-8008
Law Offices of Nicholas Loncar
1200 Wilshire Blvd UNIT 406, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 375-3775
Bernal Law Felony Crimes & Criminal Defense Lawyer
750 B St #1710, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 736-9092
California provides strong record clearing options that include expungement under Penal Code 1203.4, misdemeanor sealing, and automatic relief for some arrests and convictions. Expungement updates the case to a dismissal after probation or a sentence is finished and that helps with many background checks. Some people also qualify for reduction of a felony to a misdemeanor before filing for expungement which can improve outcomes. Recent laws such as AB 1076 and SB 731 expanded automatic record clearance and created new relief for old convictions that meet strict criteria. Using the correct Judicial Council forms and filing in the right court is critical and many residents work with a California expungement lawyer to avoid mistakes.
How much does it cost to get your record expunged in California?
Filing fees vary by county and are usually between sixty dollars and one hundred fifty dollars. People who cannot afford fees can apply for a fee waiver through the court. Attorney fees depend on complexity and the number of cases but many firms offer flat rates so you can budget the project.
Do I need a lawyer for expungement in California?
You can file on your own using the official forms. Many people still hire a lawyer because eligibility rules, service requirements, and local procedures can be confusing and a mistake slows everything down. A lawyer also appears in court if a judge sets a hearing and can answer questions on the spot.
What felonies cannot be expunged in California?
Crimes that involved state prison sentences and certain serious offenses are not eligible for expungement. Sex crimes involving minors and a small group of violent felonies fall into the excluded category. A careful review of your docket and sentencing terms is the only way to confirm eligibility.
Is expungement worth it in California?
Yes. After the court grants relief the record shows a dismissal which improves employment and housing chances. It also reduces problems with most private background checks and helps with many professional license applications that ask about current convictions.
How long does an expungement take in California?
Most cases take two to four months from filing to order, but some counties move faster and some move slower. Delays usually come from missing documents, bad service on the prosecutor, or a crowded court calendar. Getting a complete file and using the right forms shortens the timeline.
What is the new law for expungement in California?
AB 1076 created automatic relief for many arrests and some convictions after the person completes terms and is not on supervision. SB 731 expanded sealing for older convictions that meet strict conditions including no current charges and a waiting period. These laws do not cover every case so many people still need to file a petition.
Will my expunged record show up on a background check in California?
Most private background checks will show the case as dismissed and many reports omit it entirely after expungement. Licensing boards, courts, and law enforcement still have access to the original record. You should keep a certified copy of the order in case you need to explain the outcome to an employer who asks for more detail.
How can I get my criminal record expunged in California for free?
Ask the clerk for a fee waiver application and attach proof of income to reduce or remove filing costs. Many counties have self help units that guide you through forms at no charge. Some legal aid groups and public defender offices run record clearing clinics that prepare petitions for free or a small administrative fee.
What forms do I need for expungement in California?
Use Petition for Dismissal form CR 180 and Order for Dismissal form CR 181. Some cases also need a declaration that explains rehabilitation and proof that fines and restitution are paid. Check the local court website because a few counties require additional coversheets or local forms.
Do felonies go away after 10 years?
No. A conviction remains until a court grants relief such as reduction to a misdemeanor and expungement or a pardon. Time alone does not update the record in California databases or in court files.
Do I have to disclose a felony after 7 years in California?
California has the Fair Chance Act which limits early inquiries about criminal history. Many private employers cannot ask about convictions until a conditional offer is made. Some jobs and licenses still ask for full history, so having a dismissal order gives you a clear and honest explanation that the case ended in a court ordered dismissal.
How do I clear my record as a felon in California?
First see if your felony can be reduced to a misdemeanor under Penal Code 17 b. Then file for expungement under Penal Code 1203.4 once probation and financial obligations are complete. People with very old offenses can also explore a certificate of rehabilitation and a pardon through the Governor’s office.
What is better, a pardon or expungement?
They serve different goals. Expungement gives a dismissal entry that helps with jobs and housing, and it is faster to obtain. A pardon restores additional civil rights and carries strong symbolism but it takes much longer and has stricter review.
Who qualifies for expungement in California?
Most people who finished probation and did not serve state prison for that case can apply. People who did serve prison time may qualify for relief if their sentence would be local today under realignment rules. Disqualifying offenses remain excluded and unpaid restitution can block a petition until it is resolved or a payment plan is in place.
Is it better to get my record sealed or expunged?
Expungement applies to convictions and changes the entry to dismissed. Sealing applies to arrests that did not lead to conviction and also to some records covered by the clean slate laws. Many people end up doing both on different cases to clean the entire history as much as possible.
How do I know if my felony has been expunged?
Check the online docket for your case and look for an order granting Penal Code 1203.4 relief. You can also order a copy of the minute order from the clerk. For statewide confirmation request your Department of Justice record review and verify that the entry shows a dismissal.
What happens after expungement in California?
The court updates the case to show the plea or verdict is set aside and the case is dismissed. You can answer no to most private employer conviction questions that ask about current convictions. The record can still be used for future sentencing and remains visible to courts and agencies that are allowed access by law.
Who can see expunged records in California?
Courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement keep access to the file. Many state licensing boards can also view the original case even after dismissal. Private background screeners usually do not show the conviction or they show it as dismissed which is far less damaging.
Do expunged records show up on fingerprinting?
Fingerprint based checks run through the California Department of Justice or the FBI often show the case with a dismissal notation. That level of access is common for government jobs and professional licenses. Most private employers do not receive that level of detail and rely on standard name based reports.
Can police see my expunged record?
Yes. Police and prosecutors can see the case and use it for limited legal purposes such as future charging or sentencing. Expungement aims to help with employment and housing and does not erase law enforcement access.
What is the Fair Chance Act in California?
It is a statewide rule that delays any inquiry into criminal history until after a conditional job offer. Employers must make an individual assessment before they deny a job based on a record. This law gives people with dismissals and sealed cases a real chance to explain their progress before a final decision is made.
How fast can a record be expunged in California?
Simple cases with complete paperwork can be granted in weeks. Cases with missing proof of compliance, unpaid restitution, or objections from the prosecutor take longer. Filing clean and complete petitions is the best way to keep things moving.
How far back does a background check go in California?
Many consumer reports focus on the last seven years for non pending cases, but serious convictions can still surface. Government jobs and licenses often review the entire history. Expungement and sealing change what appears and how it is reported which improves outcomes across the board.
Official Sources
- California Courts
- Judicial Council Forms CR 180 and CR 181
- California Penal Code, including 1203.4 and 851.87
- California Department of Justice Record Review
- California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act
- Governor’s Clemency and Pardons
- California Courts Clean Your Record Guide
- Legislative Information on AB 1076 and SB 731