Expungement Attorney Oceanside & Vista
If you have a criminal record from a past misdemeanor or felony conviction in San Diego, you understand the impact it can have on your employment prospects, educational opportunities and basic constitutional rights. You may be carrying the burden of your criminal record years after the original offense. But this does not have to be the case.
An expungement allows you to clear your record and get the closure you need to move on with your life. Criminal Defense Lawyer Joni Eisenstein has extensive experience handling criminal expungement cases for clients in Oceanside, Vista and the rest of San Diego County. When you are ready to clear your record, you need a skilled and practiced attorney like Joni Eisenstein to make the process easy and efficient so you can get back to your life.
What is Expungement?
Expungement is a process in which a person’s prior criminal record or conviction is “erased” if certain circumstances are present. Although not completely “erased” in the eyes of the law, after the expungement process a person’s conviction would no longer have to be disclosed to a potential employer, on a rental application or in other similar situations. In general, the expungement process petitions the Court to withdraw the guilty plea and orders the case to be dismissed.
Understanding the California State Expungement Law
Penal Code Section 1203.4 states that a “defendant shall, at any time after the termination of the period of probation, if he or she is not then serving a sentence for any offense, on probation for any offense, or charged with the commission of any offense, be permitted by the court to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty; or, if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty; and, in either case, the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusations or information against the defendant …”.
Who Qualifies for an Expungement?
Not everyone will qualify to have their record expunged. It is best to contact a qualified criminal lawyer in Oceanside to help you determine if you are eligible for an expungement. You may be entitled to expunge your record if:
- You have successfully completed probation.
- You are not currently charged with or on probation for any other offense.
- You have paid all fines or restitution ordered by the court.
Why You Should Hire an Expungement Attorney
Although you can request record expungement without an attorney, it is in your best interest to have an experienced Oceanside criminal lawyer help you through the process. Joni Eisenstein has helped hundreds of clients petition for an expungement during many years working in the San Diego courts. Her expertise and thorough understanding of the complexities of the expungement process will greatly increase your chances of getting the outcome you want and deserve. Ms. Eisenstein can help you understand if you are eligible for an expungement, and if you are not, help you develop a plan for meeting the requirements. She will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you have the best possible chance for a successful expungement.
If you are ready to move forward with your life and finally leave your misdemeanor or felony charges behind you, contact Oceanside Criminal Defense Lawyer Joni Eisenstein online or by calling 760.721.3161 for your free 1-hour consultation. Ms. Eisenstein will personally review your case with you and get you started on the path to clearing your record once and for all.