Bench Warrant Lawyer in Santa Ana, California

Gordon E. Turner

I believe in second chances and am dedicated to helping you navigate the expungement and criminal record clearing process in California. Our state offers various options to clear your record, giving you a fresh start.

Having a misdemeanor or felony on your record can impact your life in many ways, affecting employment, promotions, travel, and educational opportunities. In today's digital age, conducting a criminal background check online may be quick and easy. Fortunately, we have assisted numerous clients in determining if their past offenses are eligible for expungement or other post conviction relief.

Record Clearing Options in California

The available record clearing options in California depend on various factors from your original criminal case, such as the type of charge and conviction (infraction, misdemeanor, felony), court sentence (probation, county jail, state prison, parole), completion of all court obligations, and age at the time of conviction (juvenile/minor). California offers several post-conviction relief options, including misdemeanor and felony expungement, certificate of rehabilitation, felony reduction, probation termination, and motions to vacate a conviction.

Expungement

Expungement is often possible for cases that resulted in probation, including misdemeanors, DUIs, and some felony offenses. Even cases with probation violations may be eligible, although the process can be more challenging. Gordon Turner, with his experience in expungement representation, can evaluate your case eligibility.

Felony Expungement

For felony convictions that resulted in probation, expungement may still be an option. However, if the sentence required time served in a California State Prison, you may not be eligible for expungement but could qualify for a Certificate of Rehabilitation or a Motion to Vacate the conviction if the conviction has caused immigration issues.

Motions to Vacate

Motions to Vacate in the state of California are different from expungements in that expungements do not help you with respect to immigration issues. If you are a non-citizen and you pled guilty or no contest to a misdemeanor or felony and your attorney (public defender or privately retained attorney) failed to advise you of the negative immigration consequences of your plea of guilty or no contest and/or if you failed to meaningfully understand the negative immigration consequences of your plea of guilty or no contest you are entitled to file a Motion to Vacate your plea of guilty or no contest so that if the motion is successful the plea is gone and, more than likely, your immigration problem with it.

Please understand, it is always a very good idea to be completely open and honest with your criminal attorney. They can't assist you with the issue if they don't know about it. However, California law does not require you to advise your criminal attorney of your immigration status at the time that he/she is representing you - but you really should.

Felony reduction under California Penal Code section 17(B) allows for the reduction of a certain felony convictions to a misdemeanor.

Terminating probation early is possible, especially if at least half of the original probation sentence has been completed successfully. Following probation termination, you can successfully petition to have your conviction expunged if your conviction qualifies for expungement.

How to Know if You Qualify for Expungement in California

To qualify for expungement in California under Penal Code 1203.4, you must have completed court-ordered probation or wait one year for low-level misdemeanors or infractions where probation was not given, paid all fines and restitution issued by the court, and not be facing any additional charges in a new criminal case or serving another sentence. Cases that ended in parole are not eligible for expungement.

Navigating the expungement and record clearing process in California can be complex. Gordon Turner can guide you through the process, ensuring your rights are protected and your record is cleared successfully.

Contact us today at Tel:(213) 447-0457 **Se Habla Español!**

Schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a brighter future.