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Clear Your Record. Reclaim Your Future.

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A past criminal conviction should not dictate the rest of your life. In California, a criminal record can severely limit your career advancement, restrict your housing options, and damage your reputation. This is especially true for professionals looking to secure business opportunities or regulatory approvals, such as an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) License or a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the competitive Los Angeles food, beverage, restaurant, and entertainment industries.

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At BLLG Law, we specialize in California record clearance. Our dual expertise in criminal defense and business licensing ensures that your clean record strategy aligns perfectly with your professional goals. We guide you through the complex court systems to withdraw your past offenses, minimize your liabilities, and secure a true fresh start.

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What Is a California Expungement?

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A California expungement (governed primarily by Penal Code § 1203.4) is a post-conviction legal process. If your petition is granted, the court permits you to withdraw your original plea of guilty or no contest, enters a NOT-GUILTY plea, and officially dismisses the case.

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While the physical record is not entirely deleted from law enforcement databases, the official disposition updates to show the case was dismissed by the court. Under California Labor Code § 432.7, private employers are strictly prohibited from utilizing a dismissed conviction to deny you employment, promotions, or professional placement.

 

How Do I Qualify for an Expungement?

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Your eligibility for a court-ordered dismissal depends on the category of the offense and the specific terms of your original sentence:

 

Infraction Convictions

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• Eligibility: Under AB 2582, certain non-traffic infractions (such as petty theft or trespassing) are eligible for formal expungement.

• The Rule: You must wait at least one (1) year from the conviction date to file your request.

 

Misdemeanor Convictions

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• Informal Probation Granted: You must successfully complete your entire probation term. All ordered fines, restitution, court fees, and community service hours must be fully satisfied. If you are currently on active probation, you do not qualify unless we first file a motion for Early Probation Termination.

• No Probation Granted: If your sentence did not include probation, you qualify to file exactly one (1) year from your conviction date.

 

Felony Convictions & Record Relief

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• County Jail or Probation Sentences: If you were sentenced to county jail, probation, or a fine rather than state prison, you are eligible for relief.

• "Wobbler" Felonies: If your offense is a "wobbler" (a crime that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor), we will petition the court under Penal Code § 17(b) to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor simultaneously with your expungement request.

• State Prison Sentences (SB 731 Updates): Under California's Clean Slate expansion (SB 731), individuals who served a state prison sentence for certain eligible non-violent, non-serious felonies can now formally petition for record relief. This requires a mandatory waiting period of two (2) years following the successful completion of the prison sentence and parole.

 

Probation Violations & Complex Cases

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• Prior Violations: If you struggled during probation or had a violation, relief is not automatic. However, under the landmark case People v. McLernon (174 Cal. App. 4th 569), judges have wide judicial discretion to grant an expungement in the "interests of justice." We build a strong mitigation package highlighting your rehabilitation to win these hard-fought cases.

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Expanded Record Clearing Services

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Top-tier criminal defense and licensing firms recognize that a standard expungement does not resolve every legal barrier. We handle the advanced procedures necessary to completely clear your record:

 

Sealing Arrest Records (Factual Innocence)

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• An expungement deals strictly with convictions. If you were arrested but charges were dropped, or if you were found not guilty at trial, your arrest record remains visible. We file formal petitions under Penal Code § 851.91 to seal your arrest record from public view. If you were wrongfully arrested, we pursue the exceptionally high standard of proving "Factual Innocence" to protect your history.

 

Sealing Drug Diversion Records (PC 1000)

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• Successfully completing a drug diversion program under Penal Code § 1000 means your case was dismissed. However, the initial arrest and program entry still trigger background checks. We file specialized court motions to seal your diversion records, closing them off from private employment background screeners.

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The Core Benefits & Legal Limitations

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Understanding what an expungement can—and cannot—do is vital for accurate career planning:

 

What Expungement Achieves

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• Private Sector Inquiries: You can honestly and legally answer "NO" when private employers, landlords, or lenders ask if you have a criminal conviction.

• Professional Safeguards: Protects you from termination or discrimination during routine company background reviews.

 

Important Limitations to Consider

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• State & Federal Government Disclosure: You must still disclose the conviction and its subsequent expungement when applying for public sector employment, security clearances, or state professional licenses (such as an ABC Liquor License, real estate license, or nursing credentials). However, a legally dismissed case looks drastically better to state investigators than an active conviction.

• Priorable Offenses: Expungement does not erase a conviction for "priorability" purposes. For instance, an expunged DUI or theft offense will still count as a prior offense if you face subsequent charges within a 10-year window.

• Firearms & Registration: An expungement does not automatically restore firearm ownership rights, nor does it relieve an individual from mandatory sex offender registration requirements under Penal Code § 290.

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Why Hire a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney?

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• Overcoming Prosecutor Objections: Local prosecutors routinely object to expungements—especially regarding felonies, DUI charges, or cases involving probation violations. We appear in court on your behalf, present compelling oral arguments, and counter state objections.

• Protecting Commercial Viability: If you are an entrepreneur trying to open a venue, restaurant, or bar, a single poorly handled conviction can destroy your application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or an ABC License. We align your record-clearing process with your local zoning and corporate launch dates.

• Rapid DOJ Updates: Once granted, the court sends an abstract of judgment to the California Department of Justice (DOJ). We audit the backend processing to ensure your records are accurately updated, protecting your timeline for upcoming job offers or lease applications.

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Transparent, Flat-Fee Representation

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Reclaiming your future should not depend on open-ended hourly billing. We provide clear, predictable flat-fee pricing for all infractions, misdemeanors, felony reductions, and record-sealing services.

 

Ready to put your past behind you?

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Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a criminal expungement and criminal record erasing attorney.