A past conviction does not have to define the rest of your life. If you live in Los Angeles and want a clean slate, William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law can help you petition to clear your record. Our Los Angeles expungement lawyer guides you through every step under California law, from filing the petition to the final court order. Contact us today at (323) 655-5700 for a free case evaluation.
A successful expungement can reopen doors that a conviction closed. It can make it easier to get a job, rent a home, and qualify for a professional license. We know what Los Angeles County judges look for, and we fight to give you that second chance.
How William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law Can Help You Clear Your Record
Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys bring more than 75 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case we handle. Over the years, we have represented clients in more than 5,000 criminal matters across California, including post-conviction relief.
That courtroom experience matters when you petition to clear a record. We have secured dismissals in serious felony matters and defended clients against large-scale narcotics charges. We use that same knowledge to build strong expungement petitions.
We handle expungement cases in courts throughout Los Angeles County. Our team knows the local filing rules, the district attorney’s review process, and the steps that move a petition forward without unnecessary delay.
Clear communication is part of how we work. We explain each stage of the process so you understand what to expect and when. For Spanish-speaking clients, we provide interpreters so nothing gets lost.
The firm has been recognized by Super Lawyers and the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys. We offer a free case evaluation and are available 24/7 to answer your questions.
What Expungement Really Means Under California Penal Code 1203.4
In California, “expungement” is the common name for a dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. The term is slightly misleading, so it helps to know what the law actually does.
When the court grants relief, it reopens your case and lets you withdraw your guilty or no-contest plea. A not-guilty plea is entered, and the case is dismissed. Once granted, the court withdraws the plea of guilty or no contest, enters a plea of not guilty, and dismisses the case.
This is not a complete erasure. The term “expungement” is not used in California law; instead, the court dismisses the accusations or information against the defendant. Your record changes to show the conviction was dismissed rather than disappearing entirely.
The practical benefit is real. A new “not guilty” plea is entered, the case is ordered dismissed, and the conviction set aside, so you may honestly answer that you were not convicted on most job applications. We explain exactly how this applies to your situation during your case evaluation.
Who Is Eligible for Expungement in California?
Eligibility depends on how your case was resolved. In general, Penal Code 1203.4 permits misdemeanor and felony expungement if you successfully completed probation and are not currently charged with, on probation for, or serving a sentence for another crime.
If you are still on probation, you may not be out of options. The court can grant early termination of probation under Penal Code 1203.3, which may make you eligible to file immediately.
A different rule applies when probation was never granted. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor or felony and never placed on probation, you can petition to have the conviction dismissed after one year from the date of conviction.
State prison time creates a hurdle, but not always a permanent one. If you did time in California State Prison, you do not generally qualify, though there is an exception if you would have served your sentence in a county jail had you committed the crime after realignment under Proposition 47. That relief falls under Penal Code 1203.42.
Some convictions cannot be cleared. Certain felony offenses can never be expunged, including violent or serious felonies and crimes that require sex offender registration. We review your record to confirm your standing before you file.
Convictions We Help Clear in Los Angeles
California allows petitions for dismissal across a wide range of offenses. Our team regularly helps clients clear several types of convictions.
Misdemeanors. Most misdemeanor convictions qualify once probation is complete and all fines and restitution are paid. These are often the most straightforward cases we handle.
Felonies and wobblers. Many felonies can be cleared, and some can first be reduced to misdemeanors. If you were convicted of a “wobbler,” a crime that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, you can generally petition to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor under Penal Code 17(b) before seeking dismissal.
DUI and drug convictions. Many DUI and drug offenses are eligible for dismissal when you meet the standard requirements. We assess each case on its specific disposition and plea.
We also advise on related relief. That includes arrest record sealing under Penal Code 851.91, Certificates of Rehabilitation, and firearm rights restoration when permitted by law.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Felony Expunged?
Most expungement petitions are resolved within a few months, but felony cases often take longer than misdemeanors. Generally, it takes three to four months to handle an expungement case, though it can take longer in some situations.
Several factors affect the timeline. These include the length of time between the conviction and the filing, whether the case is a felony or misdemeanor, how complex the case is, whether the file is in off-site storage, and whether the court wants a probation report before the hearing.
Los Angeles County has a specific delay worth knowing about. In Los Angeles County, felony case files are often moved to a central storage facility near downtown, and retrieving those files can take 60 to 90 days before the process even starts at the courthouse.
Felony petitions also tend to require a court appearance. A hearing is typically scheduled about 90 days after filing, and the judge may sign the order at the hearing or shortly thereafter.
After the order is signed, record updates take longer. The court updates its own records within days to weeks, while state and background check databases can take several weeks to months to reflect the dismissal. We work to keep your petition moving and request the earliest available hearing date.
What’s The California Expungement Process? (Step by Step)
The process begins with confirming eligibility and gathering your court records. We review your disposition, plea, and probation history to ensure the petition is filed the first time correctly.
Next, we file the petition in the same court where the conviction occurred and serve it on the district attorney’s office. California law gives the prosecutor’s office 30 to 60 days to review the petition and decide whether to oppose it.
Some petitions are granted without a hearing. Others require a court appearance, especially when the prosecutor objects or the case is a felony. Our team prepares for that hearing and presents the reasons your dismissal serves the interest of justice.
If the judge grants relief, the court signs an order directing the clerk to update your record. We make sure you receive certified copies and that the order is sent to the appropriate agencies.
What Are The Benefits of Expunging My Record?
Clearing a conviction can change daily life in concrete ways. The biggest benefit for most clients is improved access to work.
California law protects people whose convictions have been dismissed. Labor Code 432.7 now covers cases that have been judicially dismissed, meaning individuals granted an expungement cannot be discriminated against in hiring, promotion, or termination based on that case.
The advantages extend beyond employment. A cleared record can help with housing applications, and it can strengthen your standing when you apply for or renew a professional license.
It is important to be honest about the limits. A dismissal does not seal the record from every government agency, and it does not undo immigration consequences or restore every right automatically. We explain exactly what an expungement will and will not do for your situation.
Expungement FAQs
Will an expungement erase my record completely?
No. A dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4 changes the status of your case to dismissed; it does not erase or seal the conviction. The conviction remains on your record for certain purposes, including sex offender registration and immigration consequences. Most private employers, however, cannot consider a dismissed conviction.
Can I expunge a felony conviction?
Often, yes. Many felony convictions are eligible if you completed probation and did not serve a state prison term, with limited exceptions. Some felonies can first be reduced to misdemeanors under Penal Code 17(b). Certain serious and violent felonies cannot be cleared at all.
Do I have to complete probation first?
Generally, yes. You must complete all terms of probation, including fines, restitution, and any required programs, before you become eligible. If you are still on probation, we can petition for early termination under Penal Code 1203.3 and then file for dismissal.
Will an expungement restore my gun rights?
Not on its own. An expungement does not restore firearm rights or eliminate sex offender registration; it alters the disposition of the case. In some situations, reducing a felony to a misdemeanor may help, and we can explain whether that applies to you.
Contact a Los Angeles Expungement Lawyer Today
You do not have to carry a past conviction forever. If you are ready to pursue a clean slate, the team at William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law is ready to review your record and explain your options.
We will tell you honestly whether you qualify, what the process looks like, and how long your case is likely to take. Our Los Angeles expungement lawyer handles each petition with the same focus we bring to every criminal case.
Call (323) 655-5700 today to speak with our team and schedule your free case evaluation. We are available 24/7, and we provide Spanish-language interpreters when needed. Let us help you take the next step toward clearing your record in Los Angeles.