Though not as serious as a felony, misdemeanors can still be detrimental for those with a conviction on their records. At Expunge America, we recognize that everyone deserves a second chance. Your record should not follow you for the rest of your life. Fortunately, the State of California offers those with misdemeanor convictions the opportunity to have their record expunged.
An expungement in California offers a chance to have your record cleared and provides a path to start fresh again. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor and are ready to move forward with your life, fill out our online form or give us a call at (844) 204-7222 to learn more about your specific case.
Those with a misdemeanor conviction on their record can face many hurdles. Not only can they negatively affect your ability to get a job, but they can also prevent you from getting into certain colleges and or rent from certain properties. Furthermore, criminal records are public information, and can easily be looked up with a simple online search.
Yes. Misdemeanor convictions will show up on background checks when you are applying for a job, renting a property, or applying for a loan. Misdemeanors are public information and easily accessible.
Although California does not allow employers to ask about convictions prior to making a job offer, once they have, they are well within their rights to discriminate against those with any type of conviction on their record. However, if the misdemeanor is expunged, it will no longer show a conviction.
If you have a misdemeanor on your criminal record, it can be advantageous to work with an experienced expungement attorney.
Fortunately, most misdemeanors are eligible for expungement in California under Penal Code 1203.4. At Expunge America, we have helped thousands of people with misdemeanors on their records to petition for and get approved for misdemeanor expungements. Listed below are common misdemeanors that can be expunged (but not limited too):
If your misdemeanor does not qualify for an expungement, you should still talk to an expungement attorney to find out what other options are available to you.
Filing for a misdemeanor expungement without an experienced expungement lawyer is not recommended. However, it is possible to complete alone. Listed below are the steps that you will need to take to file a petition for expungement in California.
Once you have submitted your completed petition for dismissal, it can take months to have a hearing scheduled. However, an experienced expungement attorney can expedite this process. It should be noted that any mistakes on the form could result in a delay or denial. During your hearing, a judge will either approve your request or deny it.
If denied, you can make necessary changes (if applicable) and apply again in six months. If your request is approved, you can expect your records to be updated within a few months. At Expunge America, we understand that the quicker you can get your record expunged, the better. We file our cases within 24 hours of you signing up, and our experienced expungement attorneys understand how to speed the process up. Though expungements usually take eight weeks, we are typically able to get it done within six weeks.
Misdemeanor expungements can offer those that have been discriminated against in the job and/or housing market a clean slate. Furthermore, it can help to take away the shame and guilt of having a criminal conviction on your record.
Once your record has been expunged, you can truthfully say that you have never been convicted of a crime. There is no reason to have a blemish on your criminal record if you do not have to. If you have already completed the terms of your sentence, paid fines, and otherwise been an upstanding citizen, an expungement may be right for you.
There are limitations to what a misdemeanor expungement can do. Listed below are a few examples of what a misdemeanor expungement will not do.
It should also be noted that some sex crimes against children cannot be expunged. Furthermore, convictions that have been expunged can still be considered as a “prior conviction.” This includes DUI convictions.
Los Angeles is one of the most competitive states in the United States. Do not allow a prior criminal conviction to hold you back from getting the job you want or living in the neighborhood that is best for your family. Working with an experienced expungement attorney can help to ensure that your petition is filed correctly and quickly (the first time).
At ExpungeAmerica, we have helped to expunge thousands of misdemeanor convictions. Apply online using our out our Eligibility Engine to get started now. You can also give us a call at (844)204-7222, and let our experienced staff help you through the process.
