Once you’ve paid your debt to society with fines, a jail sentence, or successfully completing probation, it is time to clean up your criminal record. Expungement of your criminal record can help you in many areas of your life, such as getting jobs, achieving an education, obtaining professional licensure and perhaps most importantly, gaining peace of mind.

California has made big changes in its expungement laws as of January 1, 2008. In the past, you could have a criminal conviction such as DUI, hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter or evading a police officer expunged merely by fulfilling the requirements of your sentence and probation.

However, California’s new law requires that you have a formal court hearing regarding your expungement, and the presiding judge has complete discretion over whether your criminal conviction is removed from your record or remains as written.

Therefore, the hearing may require calling witnesses, filing legal declarations, preparing additional information for the court about you and your particular circumstances, and outlining how your good conduct and reform justify expunging your conviction.

However, despite the new requirements, it is still entirely possible to have your California criminal conviction expunged. Once you do so, you can truthfully assert that you were never convicted of that offense.

There are a few exceptions: You still must disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery. However, the benefits of obtaining this relief far outweigh the exceptions.

A juvenile record can be sealed through the juvenile court after a successful hearing. Once this has been done, the offense shall be deemed never to have occurred. There are no exceptions to this type of sealing; it is as if the offense never happened and cannot be revisited.

If you were convicted of a felony, it’s often possible to have the offense reduced to a misdemeanor and then expunged. Other types of record-cleansing include obtaining a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon.

Although California lawmakers have made expungement more difficult, it’s still entirely possible to clear your criminal record and move forward with your life. To learn more about expunging your California criminal conviction, contact an experienced attorney from The Kavinoky Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Alternative Sentencing

Even in the case of a conviction, it is possible for a skilled defense attorney to obtain alternatives to jail for their clients. Alternatives to jail include:

• Electronic Monitoring
• Work Release or Work Furlough
• City Jail
• Alcohol or Drug Rehabilitation
• Sober Living

Each of these options should be fully explored, and a decision reached based upon the individual facts in each case.

Electronic Monitoring: This is also known as “House Arrest” and involves wearing an ankle bracelet that electronically monitors the whereabouts of the wearer. Usually, arrangements can be made for the wearer to go to work or school, so long as they are home by an appointed time.

Work Release: This involves working at a site determined by the Probation Department. The participant works there during the day, and gets to go home at night to sleep.

Work Furlough: This option allows the participant to keep their own job; however, they return to a dormitory-style facility to sleep at night. They are released to go to work during the day.

City Jail: Also known as “private jail” or “weekend jail.” Many local police departments operate a City Jail program. Participants check themselves in to the police station, and usually spend the night there, to be released sometime the following day.

Alcohol or Drug Rehabilitation: Sometimes a DUI or drug-related arrest is merely the unfortunate symptom of an underlying addiction issue. While this is certainly not the case in every instance, some people who are arrested for these types of cases can best address this as an alternative to jail. A skilled defense attorney will know how to obtain this type of relief for their clients, and prevail upon a judge to allow Alcohol or Drug Rehabilitation as an alternative to custody and fines.

Sober Living: For those that are multiple offenders, or have a drug or alcohol problem that has not responded to past attempts at treatment, sober living is sometimes the best alternative. These are houses, both for men and women, where all of the residents are sober. The structure of each house will vary, but residents are usually required to attend a 12-Step meeting daily, participate in house groups and functions, and perform a household chore. In addition to allowing the participant to avoid a lengthy jail stay, sober living environments have helped many improve the quality of their lives.

If you, or someone you care about, have been arrested as the result of a problem with alcohol or drugs, please contact California DUI Lawyers at the Kavinoky Law Firm. We’d be delighted to help.

Alternative Sentencing with a Domestic Battery Conviction

Domestic battery, more commonly called “spousal abuse” or “spousal battery,” is a California domestic violence crime that applies to intimate partners. Intimate partners may be heterosexual or homosexual and married, divorced, living together, have children in common, dating or were formerly dating.

Battery is what’s known as a “wobbler,” meaning that the offense can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the individual case. If a person willfully and unlawfully uses force or violence upon an intimate partner, he or she can be charged with battery, which is typically charged as a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of a one year jail sentence and a $2000 fine. This charge can be brought against a defendant even if he or she used the slightest force. Any unwanted physical touching could lead to a battery charge. However, if serious bodily injury results (for example, broken bones, loss of consciousness or a concussion), the battery will likely be charged as a felony, which carries a maximum sentence of four years in state prison.

Even though an individual faces up to four years in prison for committing this crime, an experienced criminal defense lawyer may arrange it so that his or her client never spends a day in a cell. The outstanding attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm specialize in California domestic abuse law. They know the intricacies involved in sentencing and, as a result, can effectively fight to keep their clients out of jail or prison.

Alternative sentencing is just that – an alternative to incarceration. When properly utilized, alternative sentencing can be even more effective than jail or prison, as it usually has some rehabilitative element to it, as opposed to straight punishment. When an individual is rehabilitated, it not only benefits that particular person, but his or her family, the courts and society as a whole.

There are several factors that a judge may consider when hearing a defense attorney’s recommendation for alternative sentencing. An attorney will usually address any mitigating or extenuating circumstances that were involved in the defendant’s case, whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the charged incident and whether the accused suffers from mental illness. Because every person and every case is different, an experienced lawyer will know what facts and circumstances are relevant to his or her client’s case and which are likely to persuade a judge that alternative sentencing is appropriate.

In a battery case, there are several options that may be imposed as an alternative to jail or prison time. The attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm will aggressively advocate on behalf of their clients to ensure that alternative sentencing is imposed when appropriate. These options include probation, either formal or informal, house arrest, electronic monitoring, community service or labor, individual or group therapy for issues dealing with drugs, alcohol and/or other addictive behaviors, and making restitution to the victim when possible. Although this list is not exhaustive, it includes the most popular alternatives to serving time.

When arrested on a domestic battery charge, the defendant faces life-changing consequences. His or her family, reputation, career and freedom are all in jeopardy, especially if sentenced to a significant jail or prison term. Unfortunately, many attorneys don’t know that alternative sentencing is available. Speaking with a qualified criminal defense lawyer is the safest way to ensure that the possibility of losing it all doesn’t become a reality. The attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm receive ongoing education and training in intimate partner abuse law and its penalties, keeping them ahead of the competition. Their reputation for treating their clients with compassion and respect is only surpassed by their success rate. One’s freedom is too important to trust to an inexperienced attorney. Click here for a free consultation and for the best representation.

Benefits of Cleaning Up Criminal Records Through Post-conviction Relief

If you’ve paid your debt to society after a California criminal conviction with fines, jail time, or the successful completion of probation, clearing your criminal record with 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 clean up your criminal record and help you to make a fresh start.

California passed new legislation that impacts expungement of criminal cases. As of Jan. 1, 2008, you must have a formal hearing to let a judge decide whether expunging your conviction serves the best interests of society and justice. In the past, you could have certain convictions expunged simply by meeting certain requirements, but that’s no longer the case.

However, expunging your California criminal conviction is still entirely possible. Depending on the case and the circumstances, post-conviction relief can result in having your case dismissed even if you were convicted by a jury or pled guilty. If the case is 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 one from the negative implications of the prior offense.

If you or someone you know has a California criminal conviction and is applying 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 may 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 with the offense. Post-conviction relief can limit the impact 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.

Criminal Law 101 – Post-conviction Relief

Many individuals convicted of criminal offenses in California worry that their records will follow them forever, but post-conviction relief is an option in some cases to clear a criminal conviction and put the incident into the past. The knowledgeable defense lawyers of The Kavinoky Law Firm are well-versed in California post-conviction relief options, and will fight to help an individual clear up a criminal record. Post-conviction relief options vary case by case, but in general, will depend on three key factors:

• Whether the case was charged as a misdemeanor or a felony; and
• Whether the offense was chargeable with time in jail or prison; and
• Whether probation was included in the sentence and has been completed

Because there are many legal terms that people may not be familiar with, this section will provide definitions and highlight several key components common to most post-conviction options. The most common post-conviction relief options include: sealing and destruction of records, expungement, felony reduction, and Certificates of Rehabilitation and/or pardon.

Misdemeanors vs. Felonies: When evaluating a case for the first time, a criminal defense attorney will first want to know whether the prior offense was charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Ultimately the difference between a misdemeanor and felony comes down to the severity of the offense and the punishment that can be imposed.

Misdemeanors typically involve fines and are punishable by not more than one year in county jail. They are considered less severe than felonies. Felonies, by definition, are punishable with one year or more in state prison. While any time behind bars is difficult, technically county jail is considered less severe than prison and is reserved for less serious offenses.

Probation Requirement: In addition to jail or prison, most crimes include a period of time when a person is restricted from doing certain things. In general, probation is commonly included as a condition of conviction in nearly all misdemeanor crimes and some felonies. Probation can be either formal (supervised by a probation officer) or informal (it is up to the individual to comply with the terms without reporting to a probation officer). In many cases even something seemingly small, like getting a traffic ticket while on probation can be enough to cause the original judge to impose additional penalties, such as additional jail time. Post-conviction relief is not generally available until the probationary period is over.

Typically felonies attach a prison term and parole opportunity. There are different post-conviction options for parolees including Certificates of Rehabilitation and/or pardons. However, certain felony offenses are considered less serious, so the judge may grant county jail time and probation. In these cases, misdemeanor post-conviction relief would be available.

Early Termination of Probation: Most post-conviction relief is unavailable to individuals whom have not yet completed their entire probationary term, with certain exceptions. California Penal Code Section 1203.3 allows a judge to modify or revoke probation or terminate probation on a case-by-case basis. This is an important aspect to any discussion on post-conviction relief since expungement and other relief is generally unavailable if you are still on probation. Under PC 1203.3 a probationer can petition the judge to terminate probation early. Early termination of probation requires a skilled defense attorney to go before the judge and make an effective argument in favor of early termination.

Wobblers: Most offenses are clearly defined by the penal code as either misdemeanors or felonies. However, there are always exceptions. Certain crimes, referred to as “wobblers” can be charged by the prosecutor as either misdemeanors or felonies. In some cases people may not remember the details of their prior convictions and laws may have changed over the years. As a general rule, county jail and probation are clear indicators that a crime was charged as a misdemeanor.

Common examples of wobblers include certain DUI / DWI offenses, drug possession, assault and domestic violence offenses. If a conviction for a wobbler offense includes county jail time (regardless of whether any actual time is served) and probation, then the conviction is eligible for misdemeanor relief including sealing of records, reduction of felony to a misdemeanor and/or expungement. Straight felony convictions, on the other hand, would require an application to the governor via a Certificate of Rehabilitation or pardon.

As stated, felonies by definition are more serious than misdemeanors. In certain cases wobblers may rise to the level of a felony if certain aggravating circumstances are present, for example, when someone is actually injured. Straight felonies – those that are not wobblers – attach a specific prison term, and in most cases, there is a start and end date with a possibility of parole. Individuals convicted of felonies which were paroled, have stricter standards, as they relate to the availability of post-conviction options. Generally, in order to relieve the civil consequences of a prior felony conviction requires application for pardon or Certificate of Rehabilitation, which are more lengthy and involved than misdemeanor relief options.

A California criminal conviction doesn’t have to follow an individual through life, hampering opportunities for employment, education, housing, and other necessities. The experienced, caring defense attorneys of The Kavinoky Law Firm are knowledgeable about every aspect of post-conviction relief, and will explore every option available to clean up an individual’s criminal record. Contact a skilled attorney today for a free consultation.

Expungement

Every arrest and conviction is recorded in an individual’s criminal record. At one time, only police and governmental agencies could access criminal records, but that has changed. Technology has blurred the gap between what is public and what is private. Similarly, background checks are becoming more and more standard, and with growing on-line public databases, accessing someone else’s criminal record couldn’t be easier.

Because of this, post-conviction relief in the form of expungement is both important and necessary. Expungement works like cleaning up a credit report. A successful expungement means that the conviction is removed from the record. The knowledgeable expungement lawyers of The Kavinoky Law Firm will evaluate any California criminal conviction to determine whether post-conviction relief may be an option.

Essentially, the judge dismisses the case after the fact. This applies even in cases where a plea of guilty was entered. In these cases, the plea is withdrawn and the case is dismissed. On your criminal record, expunged offenses are listed as “dismissed.”

While expungement offers the most relief, it is not an eraser, and relief from disclosure is limited. Also, expungement is not available in all cases. While it is possible to expunge some felonies, expungement is generally limited to misdemeanor offenses where the probationary period has ended. However, an experienced criminal defense attorney can assist with getting probation terminated early.

Common situations where expungements are granted include driving under the influence, drug possession, reckless driving, and other misdemeanor offenses. Most employers are prohibited from asking about arrests that did not result in convictions and expunged offenses. However, there are limits on expungement relief, including several situations that require mandatory disclosure of expunged offenses.

Still, the benefits of expungement far outweigh the limitations. While expungement is most commonly considered for purposes of future employment, the psychological benefits should not be overlooked. Knowing that a prior criminal conviction is out there on the record can be unnerving. While hiring a good criminal defense attorney to help resolve matters initially is always encouraged, there’s no reason to suffer needlessly from a prior conviction. Help is available. In some cases where expungement isn’t an option, alternatives such as a Certificate of Rehabilitation or a pardon may be available.

For a preliminary evaluation on whether your offense can be expunged, please contact one of the skilled criminal defense attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm. We have offices throughout California and are extremely experienced in expungement and post-conviction relief.