Everyone makes mistakes but those who make mistakes that result in a criminal record can see those mistakes follow them around for the rest of their life. A criminal record can mean fewer job options, difficulty in renting an apartment, and an inability to get certain professional license in California. The good news is that your criminal record doesn’t necessarily have to follow you for the rest of your life.
In some cases, criminal records can be expunged. In short, expungement erases your criminal record so that it won’t show up in a background check. If you think that you may be eligible, or you want to learn more about expungement options, read on and then contact Chambers Law Firm to get started.
An expungement attorney may be just the person you should talk to
In California, it’s almost always true that if you were convicted of a crime but didn’t go to prison, you are eligible for expungement – even if the conviction was a felony. There is one main exception though: People who were convicted of some specific crimes against minors. To find out if you’re likely to be approved, contact an expungement attorney right away.
You must complete certain steps before you’re eligible
In order to be eligible for expungement, you must complete your probation – including paying any fines, completing community service, going to counseling, and any other requirements of your probation. If you don’t commit a parole violation and you aren’t charged with additional crimes, then you are automatically eligible to have your record expunged.
There are limits to expungement
If you’re approved for expungement, then your record won’t show up on a background check that’s done by a future employee, landlord, or other typical businessperson. However, the police and the courts may still be able to see your prior arrests. As a result, even if a charge is expunged, it may still count as a strike and it could be referred to by a judge when they’re deciding a sentence for a future crime.
Having your arrest record sealed and destroyed
Of course, some people were arrested but never convicted, yet they still have that arrest record show up on background checks. This can be the case when someone was arrested but the charges were eventually dropped, when the case ended up getting dismissed in court, or if a jury found the individual not guilty. In this case, the answer isn’t an expungement, but rather a process of sealing and destroying the arrest record.
If you’re consider an expungement or having your arrest record sealed and destroyed, then you want to ensure your chances of getting what you want are as high as possible. Working with an attorney like Chambers Law Firm is a great way to maximize those options. Call us today at 714-760-4088 for your free consultation and we’ll let you know if you’re likely eligible.
