Top 100 National Lawyers•5 Star Avvo Rating•10 Stars Justia Lawyer Rating•The State Bar of California•Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished® Peer Rated for High Professional Achievement 2026•Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Silver 2026•4.6 Stars Yelp Rated•4.7 Google Rating•Top 100 National Lawyers•5 Star Avvo Rating•10 Stars Justia Lawyer Rating•The State Bar of California•Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished® Peer Rated for High Professional Achievement 2026•Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Silver 2026•4.6 Stars Yelp Rated•4.7 Google Rating
Free Case Consultation

CALL US NOW

(888) 788-7589
Free Case Consultation
Latest Case Results
Felony Expungement Record Expunged Felony Reduction Expunged & Reduced Felony Expungement Record Expunged DUI Expungement DUI Expunged PC 290 Removal Registration Removed Felony Expungement Record Expunged
Felony Expungement Record Expunged Felony Reduction Expunged & Reduced Felony Expungement Record Expunged DUI Expungement DUI Expunged PC 290 Removal Registration Removed Felony Expungement Record Expunged

Clear Your Record Today

Expungement Lawyer in El Segundo, California

Your Complete Expungement Guide

A criminal conviction can create lasting obstacles in employment, housing, and personal relationships. California Expungement Attorneys understands the burden a record places on your future and provides compassionate legal representation to help you move forward. Expungement allows you to petition the court to dismiss eligible charges, giving you the opportunity to truthfully state you were not arrested or convicted for that offense. Our experienced team in El Segundo works with clients throughout Los Angeles County to navigate this process efficiently and effectively, ensuring your rights are protected every step of the way.

The expungement process requires knowledge of California law and attention to detail in filing paperwork with the court. David Lehr and our legal team have helped countless individuals regain control of their lives by successfully obtaining expungements for felonies, misdemeanors, and DUI convictions. Whether your case involves drug-related charges, theft, assault, or other offenses, we evaluate your situation thoroughly to determine your eligibility. With our guidance, you’ll understand your options and the timeline for relief, allowing you to take meaningful steps toward a fresh start in El Segundo and beyond.

Why Expungement Matters

Expungement removes barriers that a criminal record creates in daily life. Once your case is dismissed, you can legally answer that you were not arrested or convicted for that charge, opening doors in employment, education, professional licensing, and housing. Many employers conduct background checks, and a visible conviction can result in immediate disqualification regardless of your qualifications or rehabilitation. By pursuing expungement, you reclaim your reputation and demonstrate your commitment to moving beyond a single mistake. California Expungement Attorneys helps you achieve this transformation, ensuring the court understands your rehabilitation and your deserving of this second chance.

Talk to a Lawyer

Our Track Record and Approach

California Expungement Attorneys brings years of focused experience in post-conviction relief, including expungement, record sealing, and felony reduction. Our founder, David Lehr, has dedicated his practice to helping residents of El Segundo and Los Angeles County clear their records and rebuild their lives. We understand that every case is unique, and we provide personalized attention to each client rather than treating cases as routine paperwork. Our thorough approach includes reviewing your complete criminal history, determining what charges are eligible for relief, and crafting persuasive arguments to the court about your rehabilitation and current circumstances. We handle all aspects of your case, from initial consultation through final dismissal.
Schedule a Consultation

How Expungement Works

Expungement is a legal process where the court dismisses criminal charges you were convicted of or arrested for, allowing you to petition for relief. Under California law, you become eligible to petition for expungement after meeting specific time requirements, which vary depending on the type of offense and your sentence. Once the court grants your petition, your case is dismissed, and you can legally respond that you were not arrested or prosecuted for that offense. The process involves filing a formal petition with the court, providing documentation of your rehabilitation, and often appearing before a judge. The timeline typically ranges from several weeks to several months, depending on court schedules and case complexity.
Different types of convictions have different eligibility windows and procedures. Misdemeanor convictions may become eligible for expungement after one year, while felonies often require a longer waiting period. Some charges, particularly violent or serious offenses, may not be eligible, though alternatives like record sealing or felony reduction might still apply. Recent changes in California law have expanded expungement eligibility, making it possible for more people to obtain relief than ever before. Our attorneys stay current with all legal changes and evaluate your unique situation to determine the best path forward. We also explore complementary remedies that might help you achieve your goals if expungement alone isn’t available.

Need More Information?

Find Out If You Have a Case

Key Terms in Expungement

Expungement

A court order that dismisses your criminal conviction, allowing you to answer that you were never arrested or convicted for that charge in most employment, housing, and professional contexts.

Wobbler Offense

A charge that can be prosecuted as either a felony or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances and the defendant’s criminal history, often with more favorable expungement timelines when reduced.

Record Sealing

A process that removes your criminal record from public view, making it unavailable to employers and most background check companies while still accessible to law enforcement.

Petition for Dismissal

The formal legal document filed with the court requesting dismissal of a conviction, which includes your arguments about rehabilitation and why you deserve relief.

PRO TIPS

Start Early on Eligibility

Understanding when you become eligible for expungement is crucial to planning your relief strategy. Different convictions have different waiting periods, and missing eligibility windows can delay your petition by months or years. Contact an attorney early to review your criminal history and determine exactly when you can file, so you’re ready to move forward as soon as possible.

Document Your Rehabilitation

The court considers your actions and character since the conviction when deciding your expungement petition. Gathering evidence of employment, community involvement, counseling completion, and family relationships demonstrates your commitment to moving past the offense. The stronger your rehabilitation narrative, the more persuasive your petition becomes in the judge’s eyes.

Explore All Available Options

Expungement may be ideal, but record sealing or felony reduction might be available and beneficial depending on your charges. Some cases benefit from combining multiple forms of relief to maximize the protection of your record. An experienced attorney will evaluate all possibilities and recommend the strategy that best serves your long-term interests.

Expungement vs. Other Relief Options

When Full Expungement Is the Right Choice:

You Meet Eligibility Requirements and Have Completed Your Sentence

If you have completed probation, served your jail time, and satisfied all conditions of your sentence, expungement becomes a realistic and powerful option. Full expungement gives you the legal right to answer that you were not convicted for the offense, providing complete relief for employment and background checks. This comprehensive approach eliminates the record from public view and allows you to rebuild your reputation completely.

Your Conviction Negatively Impacts Your Career and Personal Life

When a conviction creates ongoing barriers to employment, professional licensing, or housing, full expungement addresses the root problem directly. Rather than managing disclosure or working around restrictions, expungement removes the obstacle entirely. This makes sense when your conviction continues to harm your opportunities years after the offense and sentence completion.

When Record Sealing or Other Relief Is Adequate:

Certain Serious Offenses Are Not Eligible for Expungement

Some violent or serious offenses cannot be expunged under current California law, but record sealing removes them from public view while maintaining law enforcement access. This provides substantial protection for most practical purposes, particularly in employment and housing situations. Record sealing may be the best available option when full expungement is legally unavailable.

You Have Not Yet Completed All Sentence Requirements

If you are still serving probation or completing court-ordered programs, expungement cannot yet be filed, but you can prepare your case for future filing. Felony reduction might be available now to lower the severity of your conviction before seeking expungement later. Planning ahead ensures you maximize relief options as each becomes available.

Situations Where Our Clients Seek Expungement

DUI Convictions Affecting Your License and Employment

DUI convictions create persistent employment and insurance challenges, particularly in roles requiring driving or professional standing. Expungement removes this barrier and helps you move forward professionally.

Felony Convictions Limiting Career Growth

Felony records prevent licensing in many professions and cause employers to reject applications automatically. Expungement or reduction opens doors to careers you previously couldn’t pursue.

Drug-Related Charges from Your Past

Drug convictions are common among people seeking a fresh start, and many qualify for expungement under current law. Clearing these convictions helps with housing, education, and employment opportunities.

David M. Lehr

Expungement Attorney Serving El Segundo Residents

Contact Us About Your Case

Why Choose California Expungement Attorneys

When you choose California Expungement Attorneys, you’re working with a firm that focuses exclusively on helping people clear their records and move forward. David Lehr and our team bring deep knowledge of expungement, record sealing, felony reduction, and other post-conviction remedies. We serve El Segundo and throughout Los Angeles County with personalized attention, thorough case evaluation, and persuasive advocacy in court. We understand the emotional weight of carrying a criminal record and treat every client with respect and discretion. Our goal is simple: help you achieve the relief you deserve and the fresh start you’re working toward.

Our approach combines legal knowledge with practical understanding of how criminal records affect real lives. We handle every detail of your case, from investigating your eligibility to preparing compelling court petitions and representing you before the judge. We stay current with changes in California law that expand expungement opportunities and explore all available options for your specific situation. Many of our clients have successfully obtained expungements after being told by others that their cases were hopeless. We believe in second chances and in fighting for your right to one. Call California Expungement Attorneys today to discuss your case and learn how we can help.

Get Your Expungement Consultation Today

(888) 788-7589

People Also Search For

felony expungement

misdemeanor expungement

DUI expungement

drug conviction expungement

record sealing

felony reduction

post-conviction relief

criminal record dismissal

Related Services

Expungement Services

Drug Conviction Expungement
DUI Expungement
Felony Expungement
Misdemeanor Expungement

FAQS

How long after my conviction can I apply for expungement?

The waiting period for expungement varies depending on your conviction type and sentence. Most misdemeanors become eligible one year after completion of your sentence, while many felonies require two to three years. Some convictions become eligible immediately after probation ends, particularly if you received probation without jail time. David Lehr will review your specific case to determine your exact eligibility date. Once you become eligible, filing immediately is advisable because waiting longer provides no additional benefit. The court processes petitions based on merit, not on how long you’ve waited past eligibility. We help our El Segundo clients understand their timeline and prepare their applications in advance so they’re ready to file as soon as they become eligible.

Expungement removes your conviction from public view, but the arrest record itself may still exist in law enforcement databases. However, for practical purposes—employment, housing, background checks—your record is cleared, and you can legally answer that you were not convicted. This means employers won’t see the conviction when they conduct standard background checks through consumer reporting agencies. Law enforcement and certain government agencies can still access the arrest record, but it doesn’t appear on regular background checks used in employment and housing decisions. This distinction provides real-world relief while maintaining a historical record for law enforcement purposes only.

Once your expungement is granted and your case is dismissed, employers cannot legally discriminate against you based on the dismissed conviction. You have the legal right to answer that you were not convicted for that offense. This protection applies in virtually all employment contexts, giving you equal footing with candidates without criminal records. The only exceptions involve certain government positions, professional licenses, and roles working with vulnerable populations, where conviction history may still be relevant. California Expungement Attorneys will clarify which positions might have restrictions based on your specific conviction type and whether those restrictions apply in your case.

Expungement dismisses your conviction entirely, allowing you to legally deny it occurred for employment and housing purposes. Record sealing removes your record from public view but keeps it available to law enforcement and certain government agencies. Sealing is often used for cases ineligible for expungement or as an interim step before expungement becomes available. Both remedies improve your life significantly, but expungement provides more complete relief. When possible, expungement is generally preferable because it gives you the strongest legal protection and the ability to answer truthfully that you were not convicted.

The cost of expungement varies but generally ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on case complexity. Court filing fees, attorney fees, and the scope of work required all factor into the total cost. Some cases involve multiple charges or complications that require more extensive legal work. The timeline typically spans two to four months from filing to court decision, though some cases resolve faster. Court schedules and the judge’s caseload affect how quickly your petition is heard. California Expungement Attorneys provides transparent pricing and timeline estimates after reviewing your specific situation.

Most violent felonies cannot be expunged under current California law, though this has changed significantly in recent years with expanded eligibility. Crimes like assault, robbery, and certain sex offenses generally remain ineligible, but non-violent felonies often qualify. Some previously non-eligible convictions have become eligible due to recent legislative changes. Even if expungement isn’t available, record sealing or felony reduction might provide substantial relief. David Lehr will analyze your conviction thoroughly to determine what options exist in your situation.

You can file for expungement without an attorney, as the forms are publicly available. However, representing yourself significantly increases the risk that your petition will be denied due to incomplete documentation, procedural errors, or weak arguments. The court will not give you special consideration for self-representation, and mistakes can delay relief indefinitely. California Expungement Attorneys handles all details professionally, dramatically increasing your likelihood of success. The modest attorney fee is a worthwhile investment when the alternative is years of continued burden from your record.

Expungement alone does not restore firearm rights. However, felony reduction sometimes can restore Second Amendment rights if your conviction is reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. This depends on your specific conviction and requires a separate legal process beyond standard expungement. If gun rights restoration is important to you, mention this when consulting with California Expungement Attorneys so we can evaluate whether felony reduction or other remedies might help achieve that goal.

Old convictions are sometimes easier to expunge because they demonstrate long-term rehabilitation and minimal risk to the community. The passage of time shows that you have moved beyond the offense and rebuilt your life. Courts view older convictions more favorably when the petitioner has years of clean record and stable employment. In fact, the longer your conviction has been in place with no new offenses, the stronger your argument for expungement becomes. If your conviction is years old and you’ve stayed out of trouble, you likely have an excellent case.

Yes, expungement significantly improves your ability to pass background checks. Once your case is dismissed, standard employment background checks will not show the conviction because it no longer appears in public records. This allows you to apply for positions that would otherwise be closed to you due to conviction history. However, certain government backgrounds checks and professional licensing investigations may still access sealed records. California Expungement Attorneys will clarify which positions and applications would still see your record after expungement so you understand your situation fully.

Legal Services