Orange County Expungement Attorney
Clear Your Criminal Record in California
Having a criminal record can have a number of effects upon a person. Your ability to get work or pursue employment opportunities may be threatened when you must answer the question, “Do you have a criminal record?” There are certain professional licenses that you will not be able to obtain. Additionally, there is the social stigma a criminal record brings, as well as the effects it can have on your reputation.
Many people seek to expunge their criminal record for employment reasons or even just for a peace of mind. A lawyer can help you if you are interested in clearing your criminal record – and you can then legally deny your record in most situations. With the help of a lawyer, you can move on from your past and start fresh.
Anyone can make a mistake or be in the wrong place at the wrong time and thus end up with a criminal conviction on their record. By seeking an expungement with the help of a skilled attorney, you may be able to clear your criminal past from the public record. In California, the court may expunge most misdemeanor and some felony convictions. There are certain criteria you must meet in order to qualify for expungement in the first place:
- At least 1 year must have passed since your conviction or guilty plea
- You must have completed your probation, if any
- You must have completed your jail sentence
- You must have completed, with proof, all the terms of your sentence (fines, restitution, community service, counseling, etc.)
- You must not have had any intervening arrests/convictions
Expungement Process in California: How a Lawyer Can Help
In California, if you qualify, a lawyer can help you file a petition for expungement, wherein you are basically requesting for the court to enter a new plea of “not guilty” and then dismiss your case from court. This is an update to the court records and does not actually entail your record being physically destroyed. By having a lawyer help you through the expungement process, you have a far better chance of being successful. Your lawyer will know exactly what information and paperwork is needed in order to clear your criminal record – and he or she will know what to do if any complications arise.
As an Orange County criminal defense attorney, I understand the expungement process and may be able to help you if you are seeking this option to clear your criminal record. My name is Barney B. Gibbs, and I have over 25 years of experience in criminal law, limiting my practice exclusively to criminal defense. I have handled over 2,000 cases, personally, and help clients throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Tustin, Anaheim, Fullerton, Westminster, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana.
Contact Orange County expungement attorney Barney B. Gibbs today!