Cleaning up your criminal record is not only possible but may be essential to your future. If you are seeking to clean up your record, contact a Santa Ana expungement lawyer today. Our skilled defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott D. Henry have in-depth knowledge and experience of how expungements are handled in this area. Our team understands how a criminal conviction can adversely affect your ability to obtain employment and housing and impact your self-esteem and reputation. We are committed to fighting to have your record expunged, giving you a new lease on life.
A Criminal Conviction’s Impact
If you have been convicted of a crime, you likely know how a criminal conviction affects your life. It limits so many opportunities and affects your reputation and personal and professional relationships. Additionally, a criminal record:
- Limits job and housing opportunities
- Can result in the revocation of professional licenses
- Can result in the loss of your right to vote or possess firearms
- Negatively impacts your visitation and child custody rights
- Can result in higher insurance premiums
- Create immigration status issues
Benefits of an Expungement
The term “expunge” means to “erase or remove completely.” In California, there is no true expungement of the conviction. It is more similar to a dismissal. When you are granted an expungement under California Penal Code 1203.4 PC, the following will occur:
- Your case will be reopened.
- The guilty verdict, or your guilty or no contest plea, will be withdrawn.
- A not-guilty plea will be entered.
- Your case will be dismissed.
- Your probation records will reflect that the case was dismissed.
Having your criminal conviction expunged offers great benefits. It could make it much easier to move forward with your life without the limitations of a criminal record. After getting your criminal record expunged, you no longer have to disclose your conviction on most applications and can legally answer “no” when asked if you have been convicted of a crime. This increases your job opportunities and housing options and could help to restore your reputation. A Santa Ana attorney could further explain how expungement may be beneficial in your situation.
Expungement Eligibility
You are typically eligible to have your criminal conviction expunged if you meet the following criteria:
- You completed the terms of your probation.
- You completed your sentence and its requirements.
- You did not serve time in state prison.
- You were not charged or convicted in a federal court.
- You are not currently facing charges.
- You are not currently serving a sentence.
- You are not currently on probation.
A lawyer in Santa Ana could determine if your case is eligible for expungement.
Reducing a Felony to a Misdemeanor
If you were convicted of a felony, you might be able to have the felony reduced to a misdemeanor. This normally goes hand in hand with a criminal record expungement. Pursuant to California Penal Code 17b PC, a felony conviction can be reduced to a misdemeanor if the original charge was a “wobbler.” A wobbler charge is one that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Several benefits arise from having your felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor. They include the reinstatement of your right to vote, serve on a jury, and own and possess firearms, your ability to obtain and maintain professional licenses, and you are legally being able to say you have not been convicted of a felony. A Santa Ana lawyer could help someone reduce their felony charge to a misdemeanor in the expungement process.
Consult with an Experienced Santa Ana Expungement Attorney
Having your criminal record expunged can restore your rights, reputation, and way of life. If you wish to have your record expunged so you can put the past behind you, contact our experienced Santa Ana expungement lawyers today for a free consultation.
At the Law Offices of Scott D. Henry, we understand that we all can make mistakes. We firmly believe that being convicted of a crime should not make you a criminal for life. We have extensive experience handling expungements and know precisely how to advocate on your behalf. Contact us today, and let us help you receive a new lease on life.