Purge means to destroy, blot out, strike out, or efface so that no trace remains. Expunge is a synonym.
The procedure will take from 10 to 16 weeks (and sometimes longer) depending upon the Court, the complexity of the case, and how old the conviction is. Felony convictions are not automatically expunged with the passage of time but require the filing and granting of an Expungement Petition by the Court.
We have successfully expunged hundreds of misdemeanor records all over California. The procedure will take from 8 to 16 weeks (and sometimes longer) depending upon the Court, the complexity of the case, and how old the conviction is.
If you are pardoned for an offense, the government "forgives" you for your crime—but depending on the state, your criminal record may not be erased. On the other hand, if your record is expunged, it is "forgotten" for most purposes and likely sealed from public view.
As expressed in the California Penal Code 1203.4, expungement absolves a person of all discrimination and penalties that can result from a conviction. Other benefits include: Finding a job. Most employers today require a background check before hiring a job applicant.
This reform offers a fresh start for many Golden Staters who have served their time and are committed to rebuilding their lives. Senate Bill 731 went into effect in mid-2023 providing Californians with most kinds of felony convictions, including violent crimes, the opportunity to ask for their records to be cleared.
As a result, if you have a misdemeanor conviction, it is important to understand what will show up on a background check. In California, criminal convictions will show up on an individual's background check for seven years.
What Steps Do I Have to Take to Get My Expungement? If you are still on probation, file a motion asking for early termination of probation. If you were convicted of a felony that is a “wobbler,” request that it be reduced to a misdemeanor. File a form with the court known as a CR-180, or a “petition for dismissal.”
There is a new law in California that went into effect in 2023 called the California Clean Slate Act (SB 731). Under the Clean Slate Act, authorities will automatically expunge – or dismiss – certain arrests and criminal convictions.