Everyone makes mistakes. But one mistake does not have to mean the end of the world. If you have been convicted of a criminal violation in Los Angeles County, there are options available to you which may allow you to clear your criminal record, including a Los Angeles Expungement.
If you expunge a misdemeanor or felony conviction pursuant to the California Penal Code section 1203.4, you are no longer considered “convicted” under California law, subject to a few exceptions. If you are seeking employment in Los Angeles and obtain an expungement of your criminal case, in many cases you can honestly answer on a job application that you have never been convicted of a crime.
So, how do you determine what you need to do to promptly expunge your criminal record?
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Caplan can help you determine the most effective approaches for your Los Angeles Expungement. Call now, at 213-400-5355 to find out how to take the first step!
How Do I Expunge My Criminal Record?
The significant benefit when you expunge a criminal record is extraordinary. It can clear the way for you to obtain employment, housing, and peace of mind. There are precise requirements which must be adhered to when you are seeking to clear your criminal record; if you make a mistake during the process, the expungement motion can be denied. The expungement process in Los Angeles is best handled by a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney who understands the intricacies of the process, who can efficiently and effectively navigate the court system.
The process of expunging a criminal case in Los Angeles depends on two things:
Am I Still on Probation?
The first consideration for expunging your criminal case is whether you are still on court probation, either informal or formal. A person on probation is not eligible to have a case expunged in Los Angeles. However, if you are on probation and want to expunge your criminal case, there are good options available. A formal Penal Code section 1203.3 Early Termination of Probation Motion can be filed on your behalf asking the court to terminate your probation early. This motion is typically prepared by a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer, requires written notice to the court and prosecutor, and contains declarations and attachments explaining why you should obtain the benefit of a shorter probation period. The motion is then presented in court, where the attorney needs to provide significant justification for the judge to grant the motion. Once a judge agrees to shorten the period of probation, this clears the way for the client to begin the expungement process.
Do I Need to Expunge a Felony or a Misdemeanor Record?
The second consideration is whether you have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor. If you have been convicted of a felony, the process can be more complex. Some felony crimes cannot be expunged, including enumerated serious violations in the Vehicle and Penal Code. An experienced Los Angeles Expungement Attorney will be familiar with these limited exceptions, and can advise you of other available options for these charges.
Many felony charges can be expunged. An expungement of a felony case typically involves an attorney first filing a Penal Code section 17(b) Motion to reduce the felony conviction to a misdemeanor conviction. This motion is appropriate when the conviction is a “wobbler,” and can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Once a judge agrees to a reduction of the violation, the next step is the Penal Code section 1203.4 Motion, commonly referred to as an Expungement Motion. Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys familiar with the specific requirements of this processwill then focus on setting the case in court as soon as possible.
How will an Expungement Clear My Criminal Record?
Essentially, when you have a case expunged, the court allows your previously entered guilty or no contest plea (or verdict) to be withdrawn, and the case is then dismissed. This process provides an opportunity for you to move on in your life without this criminal conviction holding you back.
Take charge of your future, today. Call Gregory Caplan, now, and see what he can do to help you expunge your criminal case, at 213-400-5355!
Los Angeles Expungement
Los Angeles Expungement Lawyer Gregory Caplan has helped numerous clients clean their records and move on in their lives, with misdemeanor expungements, as well as felony expungements. While no attorney can promise or guarantee the outcome or results of any criminal charge, Criminal Defense Attorney Gregory Caplan works tirelessly for his clients. Any results depend entirely on the specific facts, law, and circumstances of each case. Here are some recent examples of his 2009-2010 cases:
Gregory Caplan has been an effective Burbank Criminal Attorney. In that capacity, Mr. Caplan convinced the prosecutor and judge as a Burbank Criminal Attorney at the Burbank Courthouse to terminate probation 2 ½ Years early, and immediately expunge the charges, allowing the client to pursue employment opportunities that would not have been otherwise available. Mr. Caplan is available to help new clients with expungements as a Burbank Criminal Defense Attorney.
Santa Clarita Criminal Defense Attorney Lawyer Gregory Caplan convinced the judge at the Santa Clarita Courthouse to reduce his client’s felony theft conviction to a misdemeanor, and grant a motion to expunge, freeing his client of his felony conviction record.
Mr. Caplan convinced a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and city prosecutor to agree to early termination of probation and expungement 8 ½ months after the conviction was entered, freeing client to explore significant job opportunities. Criminal Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles familiar with local customs and practices will know if your case can be terminated earlier than scheduled.
Mr. Caplan convinced the courtroom prosecutor and LASC Judge to vacate a burglary plea, substitute a non-theft related charge, and agree to termination of probation upon completion of community labor.
Contact Los Angeles Expungement Attorney Gregory Caplan, now, and find out what he can do to help you with your case at 213-400-5355!