Orange County & Los Angeles
California Expungement Lawyer
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The Short Answer
If you completed probation and have no open cases, you very likely qualify to have your California conviction expunged under Penal Code 1203.4: the court withdraws your plea and dismisses the case, changing what employers see from a conviction to a dismissal. The process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, usually without you appearing in court, and pairs with related tools: felony reductions, early termination of probation, and arrest record sealing for cases that never became convictions.
An old case should not keep costing you jobs, housing, and licenses years after you finished paying for it. California law lets most people who completed probation withdraw their plea and have the case dismissed under Penal Code 1203.4, and lets many arrests that never became convictions be sealed entirely.
Farris Law Firm handles expungements and record sealing across Orange County and Los Angeles County for a flat fee, and in most cases you never have to appear in court. We also handle the follow-on relief that actually completes the job: reductions of felonies to misdemeanors and early termination of probation.
Record Clearing Services
Expungement (PC 1203.4)
The court withdraws your conviction and dismisses the case. Most employers can no longer use it against you, and you can honestly answer that the conviction was dismissed.
Felony reduction (PC 17(b))
Wobbler felonies reduced to misdemeanors, restoring rights and improving what background checks show, often done together with expungement.
Early termination of probation (PC 1203.3)
End probation ahead of schedule so you become expungement-eligible sooner. We have won these motions; see our recent victories.
Arrest record sealing (PC 851.87)
If you were arrested but never convicted, the arrest record can usually be sealed as a matter of right.
Juvenile record sealing (WIC 781)
Juvenile records do not seal themselves automatically in every case. We petition to seal them properly.
Certificates of rehabilitation
For state prison priors, a court-issued certificate that restores rights and serves as an automatic pardon application.
Who Qualifies for Expungement
Eligibility is broader than most people think, but the details matter. The basic requirements under PC 1203.4:
| Charge | Level | Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Probation completed successfully | Required | Or terminated early by the court |
| No open cases or current sentence | Required | You cannot be charged with or serving a sentence for another offense |
| Fines and restitution paid | Expected | Courts want financial obligations resolved before granting relief |
| State prison cases | Different path | Generally not 1203.4-eligible; certificates of rehabilitation may apply instead |
What Expungement Actually Does for You
Clients ask us whether expungement is worth it. For almost everyone with an eligible conviction, yes:
- Private employers generally cannot ask about or consider expunged convictions under California's Fair Chance Act
- Background checks show the case as dismissed rather than a conviction
- You can state on most job applications that you have no conviction for the dismissed case
- Professional license applications look dramatically better with relief granted
- It signals rehabilitation to landlords, licensing boards, and immigration attorneys who can build on it
- Limits remain: expungement does not restore gun rights, erase registration duties, or remove the prior from future sentencing, and we explain those honestly before you pay us
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an expungement take?
Typically about 4 to 8 weeks from filing to a signed order in most Southern California courts, plus preparation time up front. Timelines vary by county and court backlog. We wrote a detailed guide on expungement timelines that walks through each stage.
Do I have to go to court for my expungement?
Usually not. In most cases we file the petition and appear on your behalf if the court sets a hearing. You go on with your life and we send you the signed dismissal order when it is granted.
Can a DUI be expunged?
Yes, a DUI conviction can be expunged under PC 1203.4 once probation is complete. Note that the DMV record and its use as a prior within the 10 year lookback period are unaffected, but for employment purposes expungement still matters a great deal.
I was arrested but the case was dropped. Is there anything on my record?
Very likely yes: the arrest itself appears on background checks even with no conviction. Penal Code 851.87 lets us seal that arrest record, usually as a matter of right. This is one of the fastest, highest-value pieces of record clearing we do.
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