Benefits of Cleaning up Criminal Records through Post-Conviction Relief

Once someone convicted of a California criminal offense pays a debt to society through fines, jail time, or successfully completing probation, clearing the criminal record through post-conviction relief can open doors to employment, professional licenses, education, and perhaps most importantly, achieving peace of mind. The knowledgeable California defense lawyers of The Kavinoky Law Firm will explore every option to determine how to clean up an individual’s criminal record and help that person to make a fresh start.

Depending on the case and the circumstances, post-conviction relief can result in having the prior case dismissed. If the case is later dismissed, then it is treated as though it never occurred. However, post-conviction relief options are not an eraser – the law provides specific circumstances in which the offense must be disclosed, even after the judge grants relief.

Still, disclosing a prior offense that has since been expunged or otherwise forgiven by a judge is extremely beneficial from both a practical and psychological point of view. Practically speaking, if a judge ruled in your favor, it’s going to hold a lot of weight. Psychologically you have the confidence that your prior offense was dismissed, so you won’t be embarrassed to discuss your past. Effectively, in situations requiring disclosure, post conviction relief distances oneself from the negative implications of the prior offense.

If you or someone you know is an applicant for a job, educational institution or professional license, it’s important to talk with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Even if the circumstances require disclosure, a skilled criminal defense attorney will be able to help you turn a potentially negative experience into a positive learning experience.

In some ways, criminal records are like a credit report – certain marks such as some drug offenses will automatically be purged after a period of time. Others require approval by a judge.

The benefits of cleaning up your criminal record can alleviate many negative consequences associated the offense. Post-conviction relief can limit the impacts prior convictions have on current and future employment. For example, there are specific instances where an individual may lawfully state that they were not convicted of a prior offense if the offense was later expunged.

Similarly, post conviction relief can also provide important access to California professional licenses and/or certifications. Professional licensure programs are regulated by the state and require disclosure of any prior conviction. But many state professional licensing boards will grant professional licensures for expunged offenses. The same is true of certain educational or advanced career training programs. Some programs will refuse admittance until prior offenses are dismissed or vacated.

If you or someone you care about is interested in cleaning up a criminal history, please contact an experienced California criminal defense attorney from The Kavinoky Law Firm. We are skilled in post conviction relief and can provide detailed information on this process.