Having your criminal record expunged can have many positive effects on your life. You may have access to more employment, housing, and educational opportunities. However, it can be confusing to start the process of expungement, especially if your conviction occurred somewhere other than where you currently live. A Santa Rosa expungement lawyer can help you file the necessary documents to begin the process.
When the process of getting an expungement seems overwhelming, the Law Office of Jonathan Steele can help. Our team has nearly 80 years of combined experience helping clients in Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas. We keep you informed throughout the process so you’re never left wondering if your case is going smoothly. With extensive trial experience, our Santa Rosa criminal defense lawyers can help you have your records dismissed.
California has enacted several record relief policies that aim to make it easier for offenders who meet specific criteria to have their records dismissed. According to research conducted in 2024 by The Clean Slate Initiative, nearly 90% of Californians who have a criminal record can benefit from these new policies. Of those offenders convicted between 2010 and 2021, 89% are eligible for automatic record relief. An estimated 70% would be left with no criminal record.
According to the Department of Justice, during 2024, there were 929,322 records expunged in California. Almost eight million California residents have a criminal record or prior conviction, accounting for one out of every five residents.
The process to Petition for Dismissal begins with the courthouse where your original conviction was issued. Therefore, if you live and were convicted in Santa Rosa, your expungement case is likely to be handled by the Sonoma County Superior Court. These cases are handled by the Criminal Division in the main courthouse located at 600 Administration Drive.
To be eligible for an expungement, you have to meet the requirements created under California’s Penal Code 1203.4. The expungement requirements include:
There are many benefits to having your record expunged in California. The benefits you could receive include the ability to:
Receiving an expungement doesn’t completely eliminate the records of your prior criminal convictions. Expungements have several limitations, including:
The cost to have your criminal record expunged in California varies based on the specific charges on your record and whether you choose to use a Santa Rosa expungement attorney. Attorney fees vary, with misdemeanor cases being less expensive than felony or DUI cases. You also have to pay the appropriate court filing fees, background check costs, and fingerprinting fees. If your case is covered under the Clean Slate Act, you may not have to pay filing fees or other costs.
You are not legally obligated to hire an expungement lawyer in California, but there are many benefits to hiring a Santa Rosa expungement lawyer. If your case is relatively simple and straightforward, foregoing an attorney may have fewer negative consequences.
For more complex cases, an attorney is an even more important investment. These include cases in which you need to terminate your probation early, have had a previous petition denied, have complex criminal records, or need relief beyond expungement.
Several categories of crimes are not eligible for expungement in California. These categories include serious sex offenses, homicide, capital crimes, aggravated felonies, terrorism, and certain Vehicle Code violations. For crimes that are eligible for expungement, you have to wait until you have met the requirements before your crime is considered eligible.
Whether you should have your record expunged or sealed depends on the specific nature of your record. If you have been charged with a crime, but the charges were later dismissed, or you were acquitted, your arrest record can be sealed. If you were convicted of a crime and meet the eligibility requirements for expungement, the court can dismiss your conviction. In either case, you gain access to more opportunities, but your records are still visible to law enforcement.
The process to get your record expunged in California can take longer than you may think. Once you have completed the initial paperwork, the District Attorney’s office reviews your paperwork and issues a formal response. After the District Attorney responds, a judge makes a final ruling on your case. Once the dismissal is signed by the judge, it can take time for the California Department of Justice to officially update your record.
Whether you are ready to start the expungement process or unsure if your record qualifies, our team at the Law Office of Jonathan Steele can help you navigate the process. Don’t let the potential challenges of getting your record expunged stop you from creating a better future for yourself. Contact our team today to schedule your initial consultation.
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