Expungement Lawyer in Long Beach and the Gateway Cities
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An old conviction can follow you long after the case is over, showing up on background checks for jobs, apartments and volunteer work. California law gives many people a way to have that conviction dismissed or a record sealed. The United Firm | La Liga Defensora, A.P.C. handles expungement and record-relief petitions for people with cases from Long Beach, Lakewood, Carson, Downey, Norwalk, Bellflower, Cerritos, Whittier and La Mirada, and the work can usually be done entirely by phone and email.
What ‘expungement’ means in California
In California, ‘expungement’ usually refers to a dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. If you completed probation, or probation was ended early, and you are not currently charged with a crime, on probation or serving a sentence, the court can let you withdraw your plea or set aside the verdict and dismiss the case. Related laws cover other situations:
- Penal Code 1203.4a: misdemeanors and infractions where no probation was given, generally one year after judgment.
- Penal Code 1203.41: felonies sentenced to county jail under realignment, after a waiting period.
- Penal Code 17(b): asking the court to reduce an eligible felony (a ‘wobbler’) to a misdemeanor, often filed together with a dismissal.
- Penal Code 851.91: sealing an arrest record when the arrest did not lead to a conviction.
- Penal Code 1203.425: automatic relief for some arrests and convictions, which may already apply to you.
Why hire a lawyer if some relief is automatic
California’s automatic relief law has helped many people, but it does not cover every case, it depends on court and DOJ records being complete, and it does not reduce a felony. Many people do not know whether their record has actually been updated. A lawyer can check your history, identify which form of relief fits each case, and file a petition when automatic relief does not apply or has not happened. Background-check companies may also keep outdated information until they are shown the court’s order.
Where Long Beach-area petitions are filed
A petition is filed in the court where the case was decided. For Long Beach cases that is usually the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach. Cases from the Gateway Cities may have been heard at the Downey, Norwalk, Bellflower or Whittier courthouses. We can find where your file is held today. Misdemeanors in Long Beach are prosecuted by the Long Beach City Prosecutor, while most other cases in the area are handled by the Los Angeles County District Attorney. The prosecutor receives notice of the petition and can respond.
Under Penal Code 1203.4 the petition can be made through an attorney, so in many cases you do not need to attend court yourself.
What a dismissal does and does not do
A dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4 generally means most private employers cannot use the conviction against you, and under California’s Fair Chance Act most employers with five or more employees cannot ask about conviction history before a conditional job offer (Government Code 12952). It does not erase the record completely. The conviction can still count as a prior in a later case, must be disclosed on some state licensing applications and for public office or law enforcement jobs, does not by itself restore firearm rights, and does not change DMV records. Immigration consequences are separate and should be reviewed by an immigration attorney.
How the process works with us
- A phone call to go over your cases and goals.
- We get your court records and, where helpful, your California DOJ record.
- We confirm eligibility for each case and explain any that do not qualify yet.
- We prepare and file the petitions, serve the prosecutor, and appear if the court sets a hearing.
- We send you the signed court orders when they are granted.
Eligibility depends on the offense, the sentence, whether probation was completed, and your current situation. Some offenses are excluded by law, and a judge has discretion in many cases. We will tell you honestly what applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I expunge a conviction from the Long Beach courthouse if I live somewhere else now?
Yes. The petition is filed in the court where the case was decided, but you usually do not need to live nearby or attend in person. We can handle it by phone and email.
Is expungement automatic now in California?
Some arrests and convictions qualify for automatic relief under Penal Code 1203.425, but many do not, and records are not always updated. A lawyer can check your record and file a petition when needed.
Will an expungement remove my conviction from background checks?
After a dismissal, most private employers cannot use the conviction against you, but it is not erased completely. It must still be disclosed in some situations, such as certain state licenses.
Can a felony be expunged?
Many felonies sentenced to probation or county jail can be dismissed, and some can first be reduced to misdemeanors under Penal Code 17(b). Some offenses are excluded.
Do I have to go to court?
Often not. Many petitions are decided without the person present, and an attorney can appear if a hearing is set.
Ready to clean up an old conviction from Long Beach or the Gateway Cities? Call (855) 636-0550 for a free eligibility call. The whole process can usually be handled by phone and email.
Related pages
Attorney Advertising. NotGuilty.com is a website of The United Firm | La Liga Defensora, A.P.C., 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Attorney responsible for this page: Shawn F. Matian (Cal. Bar No. 244148). The domain name is not a promise or prediction of any result. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
