Glendale Expungement Attorneys
A criminal record can significantly impede your life in numerous ways. It can create obstacles in securing employment, as many employers hesitate to hire candidates with criminal histories. Additionally, it can limit housing opportunities, with landlords and property management companies frequently conducting background checks and excluding those with convictions.
Professional licensing, essential for many careers, is another area where a criminal history can be a considerable barrier. Licensing agencies also typically conduct thorough background checks as part of the licensing process. This scrutiny can result in the denial or revocation of licenses necessary to practice in fields such as healthcare, law, education, and financial services.
Furthermore, a criminal record can affect personal relationships and social standing, leading to stigmatization and isolation in the community.
Expungement in California refers to the legal process of petitioning the court to re-evaluate your criminal record and to dismiss or seal it from public access. This action does not erase the conviction but alters it so it does not impose a barrier when seeking employment, housing, or professional licensing.
At Weiss and Stepanian LLP, our legal team can help you seek an expungement and other post-conviction relief options. We understand the importance of these actions in turning your life around. Your future does not have to be defined by past mistakes; our firm is dedicated to helping you move forward with confidence and security.
You can reach us by email on our contact form or call (818) 619-3337 to arrange a free case review with a Glendale expungement lawyer. We also serve Burbank, Pasadena, and North Hollywood.
Why Choose Weiss and Stepanian LLP?
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Personalized Strategies and ResultsWe craft customized legal strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each case.
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Free ConsultationsWe offer a free initial consultation, providing individuals with the opportunity to discuss their legal concerns and explore their options with no obligation.
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Aggressive AdvocacyOur approach is characterized by proactive and aggressive representation, advocating for our client's best interests within and beyond the courtroom.
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Client Centered ApproachWe are always on our clients' side, dedicated to protecting their rights and interests with unwavering commitment.
Expungements in California
When seeking expungement relief, you are petitioning the court to set aside your guilty verdict or no-contest plea.
To qualify for expungement relief, you must:
- Complete probation, meaning that you must not be serving a sentence, on probation, or charged with any offense
- Have paid all fines and fees ordered by the court
- Pay the fees for services related to the expungement petition
Expungement relief is not available for convictions of offenses specified in Penal Code Section 1203.4(b). This includes most felony child molestation offenses, certain sex offenses, several traffic offenses, and infractions.
If your petition is granted, you must be released from all “penalties and disabilities” resulting from the conviction.
However, several limitations can apply to the relief you can receive from an expungement:
- A dismissed charge may still be used as a strike under the “Three Strikes Law.”
- If your driver’s license is suspended or revoked, dismissing the charge will not change the status of the suspension or revocation.
- If you have committed a sex crime that requires sex offender registration, you will still be required to register, and the conviction records will remain open to the public.
What Is the Legal Process?
The legal process for expungement involves filing a petition with the court that issued the conviction, requesting to have the conviction dismissed. This process can include reviewing your criminal record thoroughly, gathering supporting documents, and possibly a court hearing. The court will consider the petition and decide whether to grant the expungement based on statutory requirements and your post-conviction history.
How Can Weiss and Stepanian LLP Assist?
If you have been improperly accused of something you did not do or need assistance with expungement, it is vital to act promptly. Your arrest record will appear in background checks done by potential employers and others, harming life opportunities.
Our skilled legal team is dedicated to guiding clients through post-conviction processes with diligence and compassion.
Our services include:
- Comprehensive review: We conduct a detailed review of your criminal record to determine your eligibility for expungement under current California laws.
- Filing the petition: Our attorneys prepare and file all necessary documents with the appropriate court, ensuring that every aspect of your case is properly presented.
- Representation: Should your case require a hearing, our firm will provide experienced legal representation, advocating on your behalf to highlight your rehabilitation and the benefits of granting the expungement.
- Follow-up: After achieving expungement, we advise you on how this change impacts your rights and how to best represent your history when necessary.
Our team offers a path forward if you seek a second chance to redefine your life without the shadow of a past conviction. Contact us to explore how we can assist you in seeking post-conviction relief and reclaiming your future.
Talk to a Glendale expungement attorney about your case by contacting us online or at (818) 619-3337 today.
