A California expungement is a request to withdraw a guilty verdict or a “no contest” plea and set aside your case. In essence, the charges will be dismissed, allowing you to honestly say you were never convicted of a crime.
If you have a criminal conviction on your record that you would like to expunge, we recommend speaking with our experienced Moreno Valley expungement lawyers today. Our criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott Henry are dedicated to helping our clients put their pasts behind them by having their criminal convictions set aside. We understand the far-reaching limitations of a criminal record and could advocate skillfully on your behalf to have your charges dismissed.
Who is Eligible for an Expungement?
If you were convicted of a misdemeanor or felony charge in California and did not serve time in prison, you might be able to have your conviction expunged. If you meet all of the following requirements, you are eligible for a record expungement under California Penal Code 1203.4 PC:
- You have no pending criminal charges.
- You are not currently serving a sentence.
- You are not currently on probation.
- It has been a year or more since the conviction.
- You were not convicted in a Federal court.
- You were not sentenced to time in state prison.
- You fulfilled all of the terms of your probation.
- You paid all court-ordered fines.
An attorney in Moreno Valley could help you determine if your charges are eligible for expungement.
DUI Expungements in Moreno Valley
Contrary to popular belief, a DUI conviction does not automatically drop off your record after a certain period of time. Clearing a DUI requires a petition to the court, or it will stay on your criminal record indefinitely. Having your DUI expunged could stop the negative consequences of a conviction, including the challenge of finding employment or housing and obtaining licenses and loans.
If you have your DUI conviction expunged, you can honestly answer “No” on any application that asks if you have been convicted of a crime. Additionally, a potential employer can also no longer hold your DUI against you for hiring purposes. Our Moreno Valley lawyers could help you with the DUI expungement process.
Petition for Factual Innocence
If you were arrested or charged with a crime but ultimately were never convicted, you might wish to have your arrest record erased. Our skilled attorneys could file a Petition of Factual Innocence, which requests that your arrest record be sealed and destroyed. Again, this only applies to arrests or charges that did not lead to a conviction. For this request to be granted, the court must find there was no reasonable cause to believe you committed the alleged crime. If you are granted your request, all arrest records will be sealed, including the police report, mug shots, and fingerprints. After three years, your sealed arrest records are physically destroyed.
Contact our Moreno Valley Expungement Attorney Today
Do not let your criminal conviction negatively affect you for the rest of your life. Contact our highly regarded Moreno Valley expungement lawyers today for a free consultation. Our skilled attorneys have in-depth experience handling record expungements locally. We know precisely how to advocate on your behalf to have your conviction set aside and your rights and freedoms restored. Our legal team is here to guide you every step of the way and help you put this challenging chapter of your life behind you.