The bill has the support of at least 2 district attorneys.
In California, if you are convicted of a crime, you may be eligible to have your case sealed or expunged. This process can be both time-consuming and costly, and many Californians are unaware that they may be eligible to have their criminal record sealed. A new bill would automatically seal millions of qualifying criminal records — which may help people with criminal convictions move forward with their lives.
Assemblyman Phil Ting, a Democrat from San Francisco, has introduced this measure before the California Legislature. If the bill becomes law, criminal records for convictions going back to 1973 would automatically be expunged. According to a criminal lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, it would apply to lower-level felonies and misdemeanors that would be eligible for expungement. However, because individuals who served time in California state prison and people convicted of sex crimes are not eligible to have their records expunged, their records would not automatically be sealed.
This is the second time that Assemblyman Ting has introduced legislation to automatically seal criminal records. In 2019, his proposal ultimately failed after it was amended to ensure that it would not apply retroactively (to past crimes).
A law that would automatically expunge qualifying criminal records is an important step in criminal justice reform. Having a criminal record can make it difficult for an individual to find employment or housing. In turn, this may make it more likely that the same person turns back to crime in order to survive. Having your criminal record sealed opens up new opportunities — and may allow you to start fresh.
While it is possible for individuals to apply for expungement through the court system, many people are not aware that this is an option. In addition, the process usually requires the assistance of a criminal lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and can take a significant amount of time and money. By automatically expunging criminal records, this law would empower as many as 2 million Californians as they look to move forward with their lives.
At the Chambers Law Firm, we offer a range of services to our clients within the criminal justice system. In addition to defending clients who have been charged with California criminal offenses, we also help individuals who want to clear their records. Our team of skilled legal professionals will advise you on whether you are eligible for expungement, and walk you through the process. If you decide to move forward with expungement, we will advocate for you with the prosecuting attorney and before the court.
An expungement can allow you to take advantage of opportunities that were previously unavailable. While this bill winds its way through the legislative process, we can help you with expungement and other criminal law matters.
To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a criminal lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, contact our firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com.
