Bamieh & Erickson, PLC - California Criminal Record Expungement

Many persons with past criminal convictions are interested in expungement, or sealing their criminal records so that they can pass criminal background checks in employment applications. The applicant for expungement must have completed his or her jail sentence and any period of probation. For more information about how to clear your record and protect your ability to get a good job, contact the Ventura County expungement attorneys at Bamieh & Erickson, PLC.

Expungement, or dismissal of conviction, does not wipe out the fact of your criminal conviction, or keep others from seeing your criminal records, but it does allow most nonviolent offenders to tell most prospective employers that they have not been convicted of a crime. For so-called priorable offenses, that is, crimes such as DUI with increasing penalties for repeat convictions, a dismissed DUI conviction will still count as a prior offense. Dismissed convictions will also interfere with a person's ability to apply for certain jobs, licenses, or security clearances. For most people in most situations, however, expungement under the California Penal Code represents an excellent opportunity to put past mistakes behind them as they work toward a productive career.

There are a few special considerations in California expungement. For example, a person convicted of a felony, provided that it did not involve violence or an actual prison term of more than one year, can still be eligible for dismissal of the conviction, but must first file a petition to reduce the charge under which the defendant was convicted. Additionally, persons who were required to register as sex offenders as a result of a dismissed conviction must file a separate application to be excused from the sex offender registry requirements.

Contrary to the belief of many, juvenile conviction records appear on a person's criminal record unless the person files a petition to seal the records after the person turns 18. If the person never files such a petition, the records are automatically sealed on the person's 38th birthday.

The rules, procedures, and exceptions relating to California criminal records expungement can be complicated. For dependable advice about your opportunity to clear your record, and about how to handle questions about your criminal history, contact the Ventura County expungement lawyers at Bamieh & Erickson, PLC.