- If you were given probation and you successfully completed the entire term without any violations, you may be eligible to have your old case dismissed. Once a case is dismissed, you may honestly state that you have no criminal convictions for most purposes. A dismissal under this section will not restore gun rights, though.
- If you were convicted of a misdemeanor and NOT given probation, then you must wait one year from the date of your conviction or your release from custody, whichever came later. You must also prove that you have remained law-abiding since the conviction.
- If your conviction was for a felony, the charge may be reduced to a misdemeanor in some cases. If an old felony conviction is reduced to a misdemeanor, it may restore gun rights, depending on the circumstances.
- You must complete probation before you're eligible to apply for a dismissal. If you're still on probation, we can ask the court to terminate probation early.
The legislature has added some new caveats over the past year to allow more types of cases to be dismissed or reduced:
- Non-traffic infractions are now eligible for dismissal under the same process. Non-traffic infractions include things like "disturbing the peace" and "urinating in public", for example. Applicants must wait one year from the time of the conviction.
- A conviction for engaging in prostitution under PC 647(b) can now be dismissed if the applicant can prove that he or she was the victim of human trafficking.
- If you were convicted of a felony and sentenced to county jail rather than state prison, you may now apply for a dismissal. The waiting period depends on whether or not your sentence included "mandatory supervision".
- If you were arrested and the case did not result in a conviction, you may be eligible to seal the record of your arrest.
If you or a loved one has questions about cleaning up an old criminal conviction, call our office for a free attorney consultation. (714) 449-3335. Ask for John.
Thanks for reading.
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