Generally, it takes several months to complete an expungement case here in California. However, this period of time only starts after you are allowed to request an expungement. You can’t request an expungement until after you are finished with your probation.
You can get more detailed information about the timeframe to handle an expungement by reading this article. Review the factors that determine how long an expungement may take right now.
Timeframe to Apply for an Expungement in California
Expungements allow you to expunge a charge from your criminal record in California. However, you cannot apply for expungement right away after a conviction. In order to apply for probation, you must have completed either:
- Misdemeanor probation OR
- Felony probation
Additionally, expungement is not available to individuals facing current criminal charges or individuals serving a sentence for a different conviction.
In many cases, the court system sentences people to three to five years of probation after a conviction. This means that you may need to wait a period of several years before you can even apply for an expungement.
Early Termination of Probation and Expungement
Sometimes, the court will grant you an early termination of probation in Los Angeles. Note that this is usually only offered to people who have complied with all the terms of their probation. Individuals with an early termination may apply for an expungement after their probation is terminated.
Find out more about this process with a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles. Get answers to your questions by calling (310) 896-2723 to speak with the Simmrin Law Group.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Amount of Time to Get an Expungement in California
Once you are allowed to file for an expungement, how long will it take for the process to go through? Generally, it takes three to four months to handle an expungement case. However, it can take longer in some situations.
There are a number of factors that influence how long an expungement case takes. The amount of time varies based on:
- The time period between your conviction and when you filed for an expungement
- The presence of your case in the correct computer system
- Whether you were charged with a misdemeanor or a felony
- The complexity of your case
Additionally, the court may sometimes request a probation report before they will consider an expungement. This could increase the amount of time it takes to secure your expungement, here in California.
Your Role During an Expungement Case in Los Angeles
It could take several months to complete an expungement case in California. Fortunately, you may not have to devote significant amounts of time to handle your expungement. In fact, a lawyer should be able to deal with your expungement on your behalf.
This can allow you to continue focusing on getting your life back to normal after a criminal conviction. Keep in mind that expungements are not available to everyone in Los Angeles. You can only apply for an expungement if:
- You completed your probation
- You did not spend time in prison
- You are not facing other criminal charges
Speak to a lawyer before you begin the expungement process to find out if you are eligible to receive an expungement.
A Note About Proposition 47
Generally, you cannot expunge a charge that led to prison time in California. However, this is not always the case. Prop 47 changed the penalties for some criminal charges in our area. If you were sent to prison but would have received jail time under Prop 47, you could get your charges expunged.
Let a Lawyer Handle an Expungement Case in California
Expungement does not completely erase a charge from your record in California. However, it does make it impossible for an employer to refuse you employment due to a conviction. It may also help if you want to get a professional license here in Los Angeles.
A lawyer can walk you through all the steps for securing an expungement in our area. Find out more by contacting the Simmrin Law Group now.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Review the Timeline of an Expungement Case with a Lawyer
The general timeline of an expungement case involves waiting until you’ve finished probation and then applying for an expungement. This process can take several months. Get legal assistance with an expungement from the Simmrin Law Group.
Our criminal defense lawyers can help you. Get started with a free consultation. Just call (310) 896-2723 or fill out our online contact form now.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form