Expungement of Criminal Records – California Penal Code 1203.4 PC

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Clear Your Criminal Record Under California Penal Code 1203.4

A criminal conviction on your record affects your ability to find employment, secure housing, and obtain professional licenses long after your sentence is complete. Penal Code 1203.4 gives eligible defendants in California the right to petition the court to have that conviction dismissed — changing its status from a conviction to a dismissal and removing one of the most significant barriers standing between you and your future. At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, our Los Angeles expungement attorney has spent over 20 years helping clients clear their criminal records and move forward with their lives. Contact our office today for a free, confidential consultation to find out if you qualify and what expungement will do for your specific situation.

What Does Penal Code 1203.4 PC Do?

Penal Code 1203.4 allows a defendant who has successfully completed probation to petition the court to withdraw their guilty or no contest plea, enter a not guilty plea, and have the case dismissed. The conviction is not erased entirely, but its status changes to dismissed.

After a successful expungement under PC 1203.4:

  • You can legally answer no on most private employer job applications when asked whether you have been convicted of a crime
  • Background checks accessible to most private employers will reflect the conviction as dismissed
  • Professional licensing boards will see a dismissal rather than an active conviction, which carries significantly less weight in most licensing decisions

An expungement under PC 1203.4 does not seal your record from all purposes. It does not restore firearm rights, relieve sex offender registration obligations, prevent use of the conviction as a prior in future criminal proceedings, or protect you in all government employment or professional licensing contexts. Our firm explains exactly what expungement will and will not do for your specific situation before any petition is filed.

Who Qualifies for Expungement in California?

Eligibility depends on the nature of the conviction and how the sentence was served.

You are eligible 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 have fulfilled all conditions of probation including fines, restitution, and required programs
  • You are not currently charged with, serving a sentence for, or on probation for another offense

You are not eligible if:

  • Your conviction resulted in a state prison sentence
  • Your conviction was for certain serious sex offenses involving minors
  • You are currently serving a sentence or on active probation for another offense

If you served time in state prison, other remedies may still be available including a certificate of rehabilitation or a governor’s pardon. Our firm evaluates every available option for every client.

How the Expungement Process Works

Our firm handles every step of the PC 1203.4 expungement process on your behalf. We prepare and file the petition, arrange publication if required, appear at any necessary hearing, and ensure your record reflects the dismissal correctly after the order is entered. If you have not yet completed probation, we file a petition for early termination under PC 1203.3 as a first step before proceeding with the expungement. Most expungement petitions are granted without a contested hearing. When a hearing is required, our firm presents a thorough case to the court addressing your compliance history, personal rehabilitation, and any prosecution objections. The process typically takes two to four months depending on the specific court and circumstances. A denied petition makes future petitions harder to obtain. Our firm prepares every petition to succeed the first time, anticipating every objection before the court raises it.

Contact a Los Angeles Expungement Attorney Today

Don’t let a past mistake limit your future opportunities. If you’re ready to clear your criminal record and move forward with your life, we’re here to help. With decades of experience in criminal defense and expungement cases, our legal team provides personalized strategies tailored to your specific situation. We’ll guide you through the entire expungement process, from evaluating your eligibility to representing you in court, ensuring you get the best possible outcome and a fresh start.

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