Orange County Expungement Attorney

Tips to Get A Misdemeanor Expunged

Anyone convicted of a misdemeanor in California is probably worried about how their record might affect their ability to get a job or rent an apartment. Luckily, California allow has a procedure called an "expungement." California Penal Code 1203.4 lets someone convicted of a misdemeanor or felony get that blemish removed from their record.

The process of expungement requires completing several legal forms that can be confusing. You'll need an experienced Orange County criminal lawyer to help guide you through the process. Law Office of Michael L. Guisti has helped many clients get their misdemeanor and felony convictions expunged. Contact us today to let us help you next. We can be reached at (888) 478-8999.

Back to Top

What Is an Expungement?

Expungement is a process where you are petitioning the court to:

• Reopen your criminal case
• Get the conviction dismissed
• Ask the court to close the case

But, there some things you need to know about getting a California misdemeanor conviction expunged. Your arrest and charges still exist. They don't go away. A better way of looking at an expungement is that your conviction is "dismissed." Your conviction will only come up for purposes like sex offender registration and immigration issues.

Back to Top

What Does a Penal Code 1203.4 Expungement Do?

Like we mentioned above, an expungement doesn't take your conviction off your record. An expungement changes your record. After a successful expungement, your record will be changed to show that your conviction has been dismissed. In situations where you plead guilty to charges, the charges will get dismissed.

Back to Top

Who Is Eligible For an Expungement in Orange County?

Under California Penal Code 1203.4, anyone convicted of a crime can apply for an expungement, once they have successfully completed probation with no violations of any kind. There are many felony convictions that can also be expunged, but which crimes are omitted from expungement need to be discussed with an attorney. Any crime that made you serve state prison time can't be expunged. You also can't expunge some serious driving violations like DUIs or sex offenses.

To get your criminal case conviction expunged, you'll have to show how you've fully complied with the court's sentence, you aren't serving any other sentence, you aren't facing any other legal charges, and have waited a year after your conviction to apply for an expungement.

If you haven't completed probation without committing a violation, Law Office of Michael L. Guisti has successfully persuaded the court to exercise its discretion in getting release via Penal Code 1203.4, even for clients with probation violations.

Back to Top

Will My Expungement Show Up on an Employer Background Check?

This depends on what kind of background check your employer performs. In a standard commercial background check, an expungement will take your conviction off your record. If your employer requires you to submit a fingerprint background check, your case will be present on your record. However, it will state that your case was dismissed and no conviction will be present on your record.

Back to Top

Choosing the Right OC Attorney for Your Expungement

Law Office of Michael L. Guisti is here to help you get your misdemeanor or felony conviction expunged from your record. We believe that a one-time mistake shouldn't affect your entire life. To discuss California Penal Code 1203.4 and misdemeanor epungements, contact us today. You can reach us at (714) 530-9690 or (888) 478-8999.

Back to Top

Additional Information

• What Is OC’s New Leaf Program?