An Expungement per California Penal Code (PC) 1203.4 really does clean up your record. It allows you to withdraw your guilty plea and dismiss your case and the record will indicate case dismissed per PC 1203.4. It also cannot be considered in most instances, if it is expunged, for employment purposes including hiring, promotion or termination per California Labor Code section 432.7. Additionally, you cannot be asked to disclose an expunged offense nor can employer seek information concerning the conviction from any source.
There are some exceptions which can include things like governmental licensing, peace officer applications etc. Check the Labor Code for the exceptions as well as some that are mentioned in PC 1203.4. An expungement does not allow you to have a firearm if it was prohibited by the conviction, and the conviction also can be still used as a prior to enhance future similar law violations. For example, if you expunge a DUI it still can be used as a prior to increase future penalties for 2nd and 3rd offenses. Certain Vehicle Code Violations, like DUI, can be expunged but still remain on your DMV printout.
There are a number of things which can be done to clean up your record, expungement is one very important example. Reduction of certain felonies to misdemeanors, Certificates of Rehabilitation and Pardon applications are a couple others. Contact Christoph Law Offices at 760-941-5720 for a free consultation and see how these different remedies can help you get a better job, get occupational licenses and even help with immigration. Across from Vista Courts for over 30 years, we have helped hundreds of individuals clean up their records.
