Riverside Expungement Lawyer

Clear Your Criminal Record

A criminal record can keep you from getting a job, or a place to live. A conviction for an offense years ago may keep you from getting into college or the military.

In some cases, offenses on your criminal record can be removed through a legal process called expungement. If you would like to clear your criminal record, please contact a Riverside expungement attorney at Blumenthal & Moore in Riverside, California, to discuss whether your record can be expunged.

On This Page:

• Misdemeanor & Felony Expungement in California
• Three Strikes Rule in California
• Do I Need a Lawyer to Get My Record Expunged?
• How to Expunge My Record in California
• How Long Do Expungements Take?
• Find Out If You Qualify

Need help getting an expungement in California? Call (951) 682-5110 today to speak with our California expungement attorney in a complimentary consultation.

Misdemeanor & Felony Expungement in California

Expungement is an option in both misdemeanor and felony convictions, with some restrictions:

• Misdemeanor expungement: Your record can be expunged after successfully completing the terms of your probation. If you pled guilty or no contest and did not receive probation, you may seek expungement one year after the date you entered your plea.
• Felony expungement: If you served probation rather than time in state prison, in many cases your felony conviction can be expunged after successful completion of the terms of probation. In cases where the offense could be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, we may be able to retroactively reduce a felony charge to a misdemeanor and then expunge the misdemeanor.

Three Strikes Rule in California

California's Three Strikes and felony petty theft laws make it especially important to keep your criminal record as clean as possible. If you have two prior theft convictions of any kind and are later arrested for petty theft, you can be charged with felony petty theft as a felony and be counted as a third strike against you. In this situation, shoplifting a newspaper can result in a sentence of 25 years to life.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Get My Record Expunged?

Expunging your record in California isn’t a simple process. While you are not required by California expungement law to have an attorney represent you during the expungement process, it can be extremely helpful when it comes to determining what paperwork you need to file and how to file it. Since the process may differ slightly depending on what type of criminal record you are trying to have expunged, having an experienced criminal expungement lawyer on your side can be a big help.

How to Expunge My Record in California

The process of expungement in California can be complicated and lengthy. Having a professional expungement lawyer on your side can help ensure the process goes smoothly and you have the best chance of having your petition approved.

Here’s how to clean up your background check by filing for an expungement:

1. You and your attorney will need to fill out a Petition for Dismissal and file the document with the same court in which your case was heard; if you were convicted in Riverside, you will need to file your petition with the Superior Court of California in Riverside County
2. The prosecutor will then have at least 15 days to review your case and decide whether they want to object to your petition
3. You will then have an expungement hearing scheduled with the judge; you may or may not have to attend yourself, in some cases your expungement attorney in Riverside may appear on your behalf
4. If your petition to dismiss is granted, you will need to file to have the case sealed so that it isn’t visible to the public
5. If your petition is denied, you may apply again in 6 months, making sure to include any necessary changes to your petition

Need help filing for record expungement in California? Don’t wait! Call (951) 682-5110 today to speak with a California expungement lawyer, or contact us online.

How Long Do Expungements Take?

If you want to expunge your criminal record in California, you can expect it to take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on several factors:

• How much time has passed since your conviction
• Whether your conviction was for a felony or a misdemeanor
• If you are required to provide the court with a Probation Report

Each case is unique, but if you discuss your situation with our record expungement lawyers we can give you a better estimate of how long your case may take

Find Out If You Qualify for Expungement in California

Only some crimes are eligible for expungement, so it is important that you contact our team to find out if you qualify, and how to proceed. We can guide you through the process from start to finish, helping you craft a thorough and effective petition for expungement.