Now is the Right Time to Expunge Your Conviction
Many of us have time on our hands right now. Let’s use it wisely.
Many of us are unemployed or underemployed right now. What do we do about it?
Now is a great time to clean up your criminal record and make yourself more hirable. Expunging your criminal conviction in California can be a career saver. Under California law (Penal Code Section 1203.4) if we successfully complete probation, we can expunge most criminal cases. Once we expunge a case we can honestly tell a potential employer that we have not been arrested and that we have not been convicted of a crime. Please check the code for specifics as this does not apply to state licensing and the lottery. Likewise, the federal government does not recognize the expungement benefits.
People often ask at this point whether it’s really worth it to go through the hassle and expense of the expungement. The answer is certainly “yes”. First, the cost is very low. Most courts charge a filing fee of about $120. The cost to hire a lawyer to do the work depends on several factors: Where is the case? Felony or misdemeanor? Does it require a supplemental declaration or court appearance? No matter the situation, the benefit most certainly out ways the expense.
Motions to reduce felonies to misdemeanors
Many felonies can be reduced to misdemeanors. This can happen when we are successful on probation and either complete probation or make a motion to reduce the case before completion. This process could be a bit more complicated then simply expunging a misdemeanor, but the benefit to the client is even greater.
Imagine being convicted of a felony and possibly going to jail for up to a year. After that, you come home and are on probation for 3 to 5 years. Your probation officer tells you to get a job and you try. You try and try. Nobody wants to hire you because you are a felon. If you reduce your case to a misdemeanor, the law is clear. It is now a misdemeanor for ALL purposed in California. If you go on a job interview, you can tell them you’re not a felon. And, if you expunge your conviction, you can tell them you’ve never been arrested or convicted of a crime. I’m not going to say it’s a fresh start, but I will say it will give most people a much better shot at getting a job, getting promoted, travelling and much more.
If you have been convicted of a crime and you want help cleaning up your record, call someone with decades of experience doing this. Call me:
Attorney Jeffrey Vallens (818) 783-5700 or (805) 230-3651
Email me at: jv@4criminaldefense.com
Visit my sites: 4criminaldefense.com or westlakecriminaldefense.com
I look forward to actually helping you. Stay safe and healthy.