Have you run into a problem or restriction because of a past arrest and criminal charge, even though you were never convicted? This has become much more common in the Internet age, with extensive background-checking much more accessible for employers and others across the spectrum of society. As recently as a few years ago a deferred adjudication or a dismissal was “good enough” and would satisfy almost anyone concerned about their criminal history. However, today many people are finding that a minor offense that was dismissed is coming back to haunt them. Before you consider applying for entrance to a college or university, or for an academic scholarship, for a car or home loan, or to rent a home/apartment, or for a new employment position that you are hoping will establish a career, you should know that more and more people are requiring extensive credit and criminal background checks to eliminate those who they deem to be not credible. Expungement is an opportunity for people accused of or arrested for a criminal offense to start over in life. The records-subject to expungement include complaints, warrants, arrests reports, commitments, and criminal history records.
At the Law Offices of Bowman & Associates, APC, we have extensive experience helping clients navigate the expungement process and obtain a fresh start. We have handled many different types of expungements, including DUI expungement and felony expungements. However, we are able to handle most criminal record expungements for clients across Rancho Cordova, California and other areas in Sacramento County. You may qualify for expungement if you were found not guilty, charges were dismissed or were never formally prosecuted, You cannot get an expungement if you were actually convicted of a crime or if you pled guilty to a crime. If adjudication of your case was withheld, you may still be able to seek an expungement if you meet certain exception requirements, such as it being your first offense.
Sacramento Record Expungement Attorney
An arrest can be seen by anyone performing a criminal background check or walking into a police station and requesting to see your criminal court record – many times resulting in lost employment, education, housing, security clearance and loans. By getting a record sealed, the file will remain intact but can only be released to other law enforcement agencies, so employers and other people cannot get a hold of the record but is not completely erased like an expungement will do.
Sealing or expungement of your records may help you:
- Obtain gainful employment
- Obtain or maintain academic enrollment in a university
- Qualify for scholarships
- Develop a career previously not possible
- Qualify for career promotions and other advancements
- Qualify for loans and lines of credit
- Avoid awkward social conversations
Even though the issue of expungement/setting aside a conviction in California is clear in terms of the required standards, the matter could still come down to strategic matters in regards to how your petition is presented and argued in court. Rather than take the risk that your record will not be wiped clean, you need to contact the California expungement attorneys at Bowman & Associates today to schedule an initial consultation, as a clean slate is too important for your future to take lightly. Let our highly qualified criminal record lawyers go to work for you. However, obtaining such a result is an involved and intricate process that requires the help of a skilled California criminal defense lawyer. Bowman & Associates is a Northern California law firm that has helped countless clients clear up their criminal record and obtain a fresh start.
At the law offices of Bowman & Associates, located in Sacramento, California, our goal is to vigorously defend Californians who have been charged or accused of criminal offenses. We understand that many individuals, while not “career criminals,” nevertheless may have a criminal record that remains a blemish on their life. By working with you to seal or expunge the records of your past offense, we can help you obtain the clean start you need, and help you turn your history from a negative into a positive. Contact us to discuss ways to clean up your criminal record at (916) 923-2800.
