Bakersfield Expungements Attorney
Cleaning Up Your Record, Getting On With Your Life
If you've had a brush with the law, your criminal justice records can follow you around for a long time. Even a minor offense could interfere with basic activities like getting a job, renting an apartment or owning a gun.
Fortunately, California law has procedures available that can enable you to clean up part or all of your record. These are known as expungements. The various steps in the process can be complex, however, and it is best to work with a lawyer who knows the system.
I am Mark J. Madrigali, an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can help you clear up your record. Contact me today for a free initial consultation to learn more. From my office in Bakersfield, I serve clients throughout California.
How Expungements Work
The first things to determine are the types of records at issue and the level of the offense (misdemeanor or felony case). Arrest records are generally accessible only to law enforcement agencies, not to the general public. But records of convictions are usually more widely available.
In California, the procedures used for expungements − to clean up or seal your record − include:
- Dismissal: To have your conviction set aside by the court, you will have to show that you completed probation, are not on probation for another offense or facing other charges, and have paid all of your fines. Even if your conviction was for a more serious offense, it still may be possible to obtain a dismissal at the discretion of the court.
- Reduced charges: Convicted felons cannot own firearms. But it may be possible to get the offense reduced to a misdemeanor. If the court grants this, it's up to the Bureau of Firearms whether to grant the license.
- Certificate of rehabilitation: This remedy is potentially available to those sentenced to prison or the authority of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Many of my clients come to me to fight DUI charges. If you have questions about whether dismissal or another type of expungement relief is available for DUI, I can help.
In fact, at the Law Offices of Mark J. Madrigali, I can help you understand ALL of your options for clearing up your record. Talk with me in a free initial consultation
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