A Past Conviction Should Not Define Your Future

Los Angeles expungement and record clearing services backed by 20 years of criminal defense experience.

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Los Angeles
Expungement Attorney

A criminal conviction on your record affects your ability to find employment, secure housing, obtain professional licenses, and move forward with your life long after your sentence is complete. California law provides several pathways to clear or reduce the impact of a criminal record, and many people who are eligible do not know it. At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, our expungement attorney has spent over 20 years helping Los Angeles residents clean up their records and reclaim their futures. Contact our office today for a free, confidential consultation to find out whether you qualify.

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Van Nuys criminal lawyer Arash Hashemi providing defense for felony and misdemeanor charges.

What Is an Expungement and What Does It Actually Do

California expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4 allows a defendant who has successfully completed probation to withdraw their guilty or no contest plea, enter a not guilty plea, and have the case dismissed by the court. The conviction is not completely erased from your record, but the case status changes to dismissed, which has significant practical benefits.

After a successful expungement:

  • You are legally permitted to answer no when asked on most job applications whether you have been convicted of a crime
  • The conviction will show as dismissed on background checks accessible to most private employers
  • Licensing boards and professional associations will see the dismissal rather than an active conviction in many circumstances
  • The expungement demonstrates to employers and others that you have taken legal steps to address your past

However, an expungement does not erase the conviction for all purposes. It does not restore firearm rights, relieve sex offender registration obligations, prevent the conviction from being used as a prior in future criminal proceedings, or protect you from adverse consequences in government employment or licensing in certain regulated fields. Our firm explains exactly what an expungement will and will not do for your specific situation before you proceed.

Who Qualifies for Expungement in California?

Eligibility for expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4 depends on the nature of the conviction, how the sentence was served, and whether probation has been successfully completed. Our firm evaluates every client’s eligibility in detail before filing any petition.

You Are Eligible for Expungement If:

  • You were convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in California state court
  • You were sentenced to probation rather than a state prison term
  • You have successfully completed probation, or your probation has been terminated early
  • You are not currently charged with, on probation for, or serving a sentence for another criminal offense
  • You have fulfilled all conditions of probation including payment of fines and completion of required programs

You Are Not Eligible for Expungement If:

  • You were sentenced to state prison rather than county jail or probation
  • Your conviction was for certain serious sex offenses involving minors under Penal Code § 261.5, § 286, § 287, or § 288
  • You were convicted of certain other specifically excluded offenses

Defendants who were sentenced to state prison may be eligible for a different form of relief under Penal Code § 1203.4a or through a certificate of rehabilitation. Our expungement attorney evaluates all available relief options for every client regardless of whether standard expungement is available.

Other Ways to Clear or Reduce Your Criminal Record in California

Expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4 is one of the most common ways to clean up a criminal record in California, but it may not be the only path available to you. Depending on your conviction, sentence, and current situation, there may be other legal options that can reduce the impact of your record and provide stronger protection for your future.

Reduction of Felony to Misdemeanor (Penal Code § 17(b)): Wobbler offenses, meaning charges that can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, can be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor through a petition under Penal Code § 17(b). This remedy is available to defendants who were convicted of a wobbler felony and were sentenced to probation rather than state prison. Reducing a felony to a misdemeanor restores firearm rights in many cases, removes the felony designation from your record, and makes the conviction eligible for expungement as a misdemeanor. Our firm routinely files § 17(b) petitions alongside expungement petitions to maximize the benefit of record clearing for eligible clients.

Dismissal for Deferred Entry of Judgment (Penal Code § 1000): Defendants who successfully completed a PC 1000 drug diversion program are entitled to have their charges dismissed under Penal Code § 1000.3. Our firm assists clients in confirming and documenting the dismissal of their charges following successful diversion completion, and in addressing any records that incorrectly reflect a conviction rather than a dismissal.

Certificate of Rehabilitation (Penal Code § 4852): A certificate of rehabilitation is a court order declaring that a person convicted of a felony has been rehabilitated. It is available to defendants who have lived in California for at least five years following their release from custody and have demonstrated rehabilitation during that period. A certificate of rehabilitation serves as an automatic application for a governor’s pardon and has significant practical benefits for professional licensing applications. Our firm prepares and files certificate of rehabilitation petitions for eligible clients.

Sealing of Arrest Records (Penal Code § 851.87): If you were arrested but not convicted, either because charges were never filed, because charges were dismissed, or because you were acquitted at trial, you may be eligible to have your arrest record sealed and destroyed under Penal Code § 851.87. A sealed arrest record is inaccessible to most employers and the public, and you may legally state that the arrest did not occur in most circumstances. Our firm files arrest record sealing petitions for eligible clients and has a thorough understanding of the exceptions and limitations that apply.

Prop 47 Resentencing and Reclassification: Proposition 47, passed by California voters in 2014, reclassified certain felony drug and theft offenses as misdemeanors. Defendants who were convicted of now-reclassified offenses before Proposition 47 took effect may petition for resentencing or reclassification of their convictions. Our firm evaluates every client’s prior convictions for Proposition 47 eligibility and files reclassification petitions where available, as a first step before pursuing expungement.

SB 1437 Felony Murder Resentencing (Penal Code § 1172.6): Senate Bill 1437, effective January 1, 2019, significantly narrowed California’s felony murder rule and natural and probable consequences doctrine for murder charges. Defendants convicted of murder under the old rules who would not be guilty of murder under the reformed standard may petition for resentencing under Penal Code § 1172.6. Our firm evaluates every potentially eligible client’s conviction and files SB 1437 resentencing petitions where the facts support relief.

We Handle the Expungement Process From Start to Finish

The expungement process in California involves filing a formal petition with the court, serving notice on the prosecution, and in many cases appearing before a judge. Our firm handles every step of the process on your behalf.

Step 1: Eligibility Evaluation

Our firm begins every expungement case with a thorough review of the client’s criminal history, the specific conviction being addressed, the sentence imposed, and the terms and conditions of probation. We identify every available remedy and advise on the benefits and limitations of each option before any petition is filed.

Step 2: Early Termination of Probation if Needed

If your probation has not yet been formally terminated, you must either complete it or obtain an early termination order before filing for expungement. Our firm files early termination petitions under Penal Code § 1203.3 when necessary and presents a compelling case for termination that positions the expungement petition favorably with the court.

Step 3: Preparing and Filing the Petition

Our firm prepares the expungement petition, gathers supporting documentation including proof of probation completion, payment of fines, and program completion, and files the petition in the appropriate Los Angeles County court. We serve notice on the prosecuting agency as required and respond to any objections filed by the prosecution.

Step 4: The Hearing

Many expungement petitions are granted without a contested hearing. When a hearing is required, our firm appears and presents the petition to the judge, addressing any concerns raised by the prosecution or the court and advocating for the grant of the petition. Our firm’s 20 years of experience with Los Angeles County judges means we know how to present these petitions effectively.

Step 5: Order and Follow-Up

When the petition is granted, the court issues an order of dismissal. Our firm ensures the order is properly recorded and transmitted to the appropriate agencies, follows up to confirm that the client’s record reflects the dismissal correctly, and advises on how to respond to background check inquiries following the expungement.

How Expungement Can Help You Move Forward

For many clients, obtaining an expungement is the single most important legal step they can take to move forward after a conviction. The practical benefits are significant and immediate.

  • Employment Opportunities: Under California Labor Code § 432.7, most private employers are prohibited from asking about convictions that have been expunged. You can legally answer no on job applications that ask about prior convictions when your conviction has been expunged. This opens doors in industries including technology, finance, retail, hospitality, and many others that would otherwise be closed.
  • Professional Licensing: Many California licensing boards give significant weight to expungements when evaluating applications from individuals with prior convictions. While an expunged conviction is not invisible to licensing boards, its reclassification as a dismissed case demonstrates rehabilitation and compliance with the law and frequently makes the difference between approval and denial of a license application.
  • Housing Applications: Private landlords who conduct background checks will see the conviction reflected as dismissed rather than as an active conviction following expungement. Many rental applications ask only about convictions, which you can answer truthfully in the negative following expungement.
  • Educational Opportunities: Many colleges, universities, and professional programs ask about criminal convictions. An expungement allows truthful negative answers on most applications and removes a barrier to educational advancement.
  • Personal and Professional Reputation: An expungement provides documented legal evidence that you have addressed your past, completed all required obligations, and moved forward with your life. This matters in personal relationships, professional contexts, and community life.

Why Clients Trust Us to Help Clear Their Record

Complete Record Clearing Analysis: Many clients come to us knowing only about expungement and are unaware of additional remedies including felony-to-misdemeanor reductions, arrest record sealing, certificates of rehabilitation, and Proposition 47 reclassification that may be available alongside or instead of standard expungement. Our firm conducts a comprehensive analysis of every client’s complete criminal history to identify every available remedy before any petition is filed.

We Handle the Entire Process: From eligibility evaluation through petition filing, hearing appearances, and post-order follow-up, our firm handles every step of the expungement process on your behalf. You will not need to appear in court in most cases. Our firm manages the process from start to finish so you can focus on the opportunities the expungement will open.

20 Years of Record Clearing Experience in Los Angeles Courts: Our expungement attorney has filed and obtained expungements, felony reductions, arrest record sealings, and certificates of rehabilitation in Los Angeles County courts for over 20 years. We know the procedural requirements of each court, the preferences of individual judges, and how to present petitions effectively to maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome.

One Attorney. Direct Access. Clear Communication: At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, Attorney Hashemi handles your case personally from the first consultation through the completion of the process. You will always know the status of your petition and what to expect at each stage. You will never be left without answers or passed to a paralegal.

Contact a Los Angeles Expungement Attorney Today

If you have a criminal conviction on your record that is affecting your employment, your housing, or your professional opportunities, you may be eligible to have it dismissed. Do not assume you do not qualify. Many people who are eligible for expungement and other record clearing remedies never pursue them simply because they do not know the option exists.

At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we have spent over 20 years helping Los Angeles residents clear their records and move forward with their lives.

Call our firm immediately or schedule a confidential consultation with Attorney Hashemi using our secure online system. We will review the facts of your case, explain your options, and build a defense strategy focused on protecting your record and your future.

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We are conveniently located in the Westside Towers, serving clients seeking expungement and record clearing across Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Long Beach, and all surrounding communities. Contact our expungement attorney today and take the first step toward clearing your record.