About Expungements
We can help you expunge your criminal record.
If you think you’re eligible for a Felony Expungement, please click HERE to fill out the screening form and one of our staff members will contact you. For a Misdemeanor Expungement please click HERE. Click Here for Further Expungement Questions
What is an expungement?
An expungement is when you file a document with the court and you ask the Judge to remove your guilty plea and dismiss your case.
There are specific requirements which you must complete before you are eligible for an expungement
What are the requirements?
- Generally payoff the outstanding balance on your case. In most cases the Court requires that the outstanding balance on your case be paid off.
- That you complete Probation
- That you do not have other pending cases
- That you follow all of the terms of your sentence
- That you comply with the law
If the case is a felony, the case must be eligible for an expungement.
Why should you get your case expunged?
- Your guilty plea is changed to “dismissed”
- Allow you to answer on job applications that you have not been convicted. If, however, you are applying for a government job or a job which requires a government-issued license, certificate or permit, or a job which involves a security clearance, the conviction will be discovered. In such cases, you should disclose the conviction and subsequent expungement.
- For felony convictions, an expungement is the first step in applying for a pardon.
- Background check
An Expungement Will Not
- Remove the record of your arrest and conviction from the databases of federal and state law enforcement agencies. For instance, the FBI would still have a record of your conviction.
- Reinstate your right to possess a gun.
- Allow you to omit the conviction on an application for a government-issued license (e.g., insurance agent license, real estate agent license, etc.).
- Seal or remove the court case file from public inspection. A person could still find out about the conviction by going to the court house and asking to review the court file.
- Prevent the conviction from being used as a “prior” to increase punishment on a later conviction.
- Prevent the conviction from being used by immigration officials for removal or exclusion proceedings.
- Relieve you from any requirement to register as a sex offender under section 290.
What is Fresh Start?
The “Fresh Start” program offered by the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office focuses on helping individuals clear their criminal records to improve their chances for employment, housing, and other opportunities. The program assists eligible clients with processes such as felony expungements, record sealing, return of property, sex offender registration relief, certificate of rehabilitation, and early probation termination.