Expungement Assistance in California

Expungement Assistance in California

Embarking on a journey to rebuild your life is brave yet often difficult. A criminal record can pose significant barriers to attaining housing, employment, and credit. Fortunately, the legal process provides a remedy in the form of expungements. This transformative legal concept offers individuals a chance to wipe the slate clean, providing a fresh start unburdened by the shadows of the past. Many California residents are eligible to expunge their records. If you’re ready to begin anew, seeking expungement assistance from ProSe Legal Service may be your next step.

Expungements are legal procedures that allow individuals to erase or seal their criminal records, effectively removing past convictions or arrests from public view. This process varies by jurisdiction, but the overarching goal is to grant individuals the opportunity to move forward without the hindrance of a complicated history.

How Expungements Work and Their Limits

Before pursuing an expungement, it is best to research to see what your state allows. Most often, juvenile cases likely qualify for expungement, although some states allow adult defendants to seek expungement depending on the conviction. In California, many marijuana-related convictions are now eligible for expungement. To begin the expungement process, you must apply for an Expungement Order. There are also basic eligibility requirements that may vary from state to state. Some basic requirements that may affect eligibility include:

• The amount of time that has passed since the arrest or conviction
• The nature of the conviction
• Events in the applicant’s criminal record
• The nature of other events in your criminal record

Although this can be a way to hit the “reset” button to a criminal record, it does come with limits. If an item is expunged from a record, depending on the event in question, it may not be completely taken off your record. There are two ways to expunge: sealing and destroying. When a record is sealed by expungement, the information pertaining to the conviction is still available to law enforcement officers. This information, however, is not available to the public, including landlords, employers, and lenders. This allows you to receive more opportunities even if the event information is partially available. When a conviction is destroyed by expungement, all records and relevant documents are removed from the state’s system, making them inaccessible to anyone, even law enforcement. However, public records including any public media such as articles, social posts, or other media outlets will remain. These items belong to other parties and are, therefore, outside the purview of the state.

Expunge for a Fresh Start

It’s not often you get a chance to start again with a clean slate. With all the red tape you may face from having a conviction, it may feel like you’re getting a second chance at life. Expungements are important for a few reasons:

• Employment Opportunities: A criminal record can be a formidable obstacle when seeking employment. Many employers conduct background checks as a standard part of the hiring process, and a history of criminal involvement can lead to missed job opportunities. Expungements open doors by presenting a clean slate, allowing individuals to be judged on their current qualifications and character rather than past mistakes or poor circumstances.
• Housing Access: Securing a place to live is another area where a criminal record can pose challenges. Landlords often conduct background checks on potential tenants, and a history of criminal activity may result in denied housing applications. Expungements provide a chance for individuals to present themselves as responsible and law-abiding citizens, increasing their chances of finding suitable housing.
• Educational Opportunities: Many educational institutions, especially higher education, consider an applicant’s criminal history during the admissions process. Expunging past offenses can improve one’s chances of gaining admission to educational programs, opening doors to personal and professional development.

Let ProSe Legal Help Set the Record Straight

In the pursuit of a brighter future, expungements stand as a crucial legal tool. By offering individuals the chance to overcome the stigma of a criminal past, expungements promote reintegration into society, opening doors to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Having a conviction expunged can be the first step to take back control of your life. If you want to get back out into the world without being seen as a criminal, we can help. Our professional LDAs have years of experience helping our community get back on their feet and seize the opportunities they deserve. With helpful guidance, we will help you file your expungement in no time!

Contact us today to get started!