How Long does the Process Take?
What can I do to make this process go quicker?
Do you charge extra for "Expedited Services"?
What is my involvement in the Process?
What if I have not competed Probation?
How do I describe my conviction on a job application once it is expunged?
Can I get a Felony Conviction Expunged?
Generally the process takes 90 to 120 days depending on your circumstances and the County in which your conviction(s) occurred. Sometimes it's quicker and sometimes it's slower. Some County's like Sacramento are notoriously slow. Others like Kern county seem to matters along at a reasonable pace.
Since our office has decades of experience working with the Court's in California, we know how to move matters along. Again, the time to process depends on the circumstances surrounding your case. Sometimes there is more work to be completed if there were any complications with your probation. We work to position your Petition for Dismissal in the best light before the Court. We want to make sure all the ground work is completed before we file, serve and make an appearance in Court. Good preparation upfront saves time in the long run and sets your matter up for success.
We do not charge extra for an "expedited Service." All of our cases are "expedited," and we work them all as quickly as possible. You would not be reaching out for our help if moving on from your prior conviction was not important to you. Unfortunately, the Court's often do not put these actions as a priority, so we continuously monitor cases and proactively make sure your files do not sit idle. Some services you will see online charge for what they call "expedited services." But, there is too much left to the discretion of the Court and it's staff. Our office does not think it is proper to charge for something that we is not completely in our control. However, Moreover, those other online services that charge extra for "expedited services" then must put the rest of their cases on a slow track or they don't get the attention they should. We know that our work is important for all of our clients and thus we work super hard on all cases to get them dismissed as soon as possible and clear your record clear as quickly as we can, and we do an amazing job of that.
Of course our office takes care of almost all of the paperwork and dealings with the Court so you don't have to. But, you will have to be involved in the process. This includes providing timely and accurate information about your claims. Although we can get criminal records and check your background, there may be some instances where your involvement is required and can make the process go quicker. Also sometimes there are requirements of probation that you are not aware still existed and those will need to be cleared for us to make progress. Other than that, we take care of it.
As part of our services, we can move the court to end your probation early so you can move forward with your expungement. It would depend on your case and the terms of your probation but the law does allow for ending probation early if you meet the requirements of the applicable statute.
There is no need to mention the conviction on a job application once it is expunged. A California expungement involves filing a Petition for dismissal. So your prior conviction technically is dismissed as if it never occurred. The California Penal Code provides for such an action.
The California statute for expungement does not remove the mention of the felony, misdemeanor or infraction after your petition for dismissal (expungement) is granted. In California, a criminal record cannot be completely erased from public view, and expungement will alter your record to read “dismissed in the interests of justice.” So it is like the conviction never occurred. This may raise questions with potential employers, but it is unlawful pursuant to the California Labor Code for employers to consider a conviction that has been expunged in their decision to hire employees. See our Blog post "
Most, but not all, felonies can be expunged. It depends on the type of conviction. If you are required to register as a sex offender, an expungement will not relieve you of that requirement and your status as a registered sex offender will remain available to the public. Call us so that we can evaluate the type of Felony to determine if you are eligible for our services. You can talk to an attorney at (818) 541-3878.