Expunge Your Criminal Record to Minimize Its Impact on Your Life
Even though you have a criminal record, you can take steps to minimize its impact on your life. Expungement and reduction of felony conviction to a misdemeanor can minimize the impact of a criminal conviction on:
- Background checks
- Employment
- Vocational and professional licensing
- Security clearances
- Immigration
- Firearm possession
- Felony record
Achieving these goals requires technical legal steps and filings. Rely on a lawyer from Christoph Law Offices to take care of your case and get you the legal relief you need.
Call for a free consultation with our attorneys: 760-941-5720.
Get an Expungement Dismissal or a Felony Reduced to a Misdemeanor
Attorneys Nicholas and William Christoph will review your convictions, tell you if you are eligible for an Expungement Dismissal or Felony Reduction, explain the process and handle it for you
- Expungement
- Felony reduction to misdemeanor
What Does an Expungement Mean in the State of California?
With an expungement, your conviction will appear as “dismissed” as provided for by California Penal Code 1203.4, the expungement section.
An expungement of a criminal case in California prevents an employer from using it in nearly every situation. Effective on 1/1/2014, California Labor Code 432.7 states “no employer shall ask an applicant for employment to disclose” information concerning a case dismissed, diverted, sealed or expunged. An employer cannot try to find information about those cases and cannot use those cases as a factor for hiring, promotion or termination. An employer can ask about cases an applicant has pending. There are some exceptions for use of expunged offenses, like for governmental agencies employing peace officers etc.
Reducing A Felony To A Misdemeanor
California Penal Code 17(b) allows many felonies to be reduced to misdemeanors during or after probation depending on the case. This is extremely important as you will no longer have a felony record. Once reduced, you are considered never to have had a felony.
At the same time, we request the reduction, we also request an expungement of the offense if you are no longer on probation. The procedure for reduction involves the filing of a motion in Court and personalizing it – including why the reduction is important to you, what you have accomplished since the conviction, letters of reference, future goals and attach any proof of your accomplishments certifications, education etc. The D.A. will file a response and either object to the reduction or not oppose it. At the hearing, the Court will have read all moving papers, listen to any oral argument and can grant or deny the motion.
Additionally, California Penal Code 1170.18 (prop 47) mandates misdemeanor charges in simple drug possession and theft related cases $950 or less that used to be felonies and allows for the reduction to misdemeanors of prior convictions for these previously non-reducible offenses.
Learn How We Can Help You Move Forward
To discuss your situation with a Vista expungement attorney, contact the Vista, California, lawyers at the Christoph Law Offices. Call 760-941-5720 or contact us online to schedule your free lawyer consultation.
