At Okabe & Haushalter, located in Manhattan Beach, CA, our experienced team offers professional legal support in the area of criminal record relief. If you’re seeking to clear a past conviction or arrest from your record, it’s important to understand how California’s laws apply. Using the right keywords like “expungement attorney in Manhattan Beach,” “record clearing,” and “criminal record relief” can help you find the assistance you need.
Cleaning up a criminal record can open doors to better employment, housing and other opportunities. However, many people struggle because they don’t know which relief options apply to them or assume that “expungement” means complete erasure of all records, which is not always the case in California.
In this article, you’ll learn how to avoid these pitfalls and make informed choices.
Completing the correct legal process matters because it affects your ability to honestly answer questions about past convictions, and may influence background checks for jobs, housing or professional licensing. Under California law, filing for relief allows you to petition the court to set aside a conviction in many cases.
Here’s what to do:
For LA County specific guidance on petitions and eligibility, consult a Los Angeles expungement attorney.
A frequent mistake is assuming that “expungement” means the record is completely erased from all databases and cannot ever be seen again. In fact, although a conviction might be dismissed and you might be able to legally state you do not have a conviction, the record may still exist in the state’s criminal history database and be accessed in certain contexts (California Attorney General’s Office).
Why this happens: People often rely on simplified definitions or belief that once relief is granted, the record disappears. They fail to understand that California distinguishes between dismissal under PC 1203.4, sealing of arrests without conviction under other provisions, and full destruction of records (California Courts Self-Help Guide).
The correct approach: Work with an experienced attorney, for example, a skilled “expungement attorney”, who can review your case, identify what relief you qualify for (dismissal, reduction, sealing), and ensure you follow the precise steps required in your county. This ensures the relief is fully effective and you understand what remains on your record and what you can disclose.
When the process is completed and the court issues the order:
If your past case involves cannabis conduct that would be legal today, see our guide to marijuana conviction expungement.
In many cases no, under PC 1203.4 you must not be serving a sentence in state prison. However, recent amendments (after July 1 2023 via SB 731) expand eligibility so a court may grant relief for certain felonies even if a prison sentence was served, provided the crime is not excluded and at least two years have passed since completion.
No. Even if a dismissal is granted, the state’s summary criminal history may retain the record and some licensing or government agencies may still see it. Relief under PC 1203.4 is not the same as full destruction or sealing in all contexts (California Attorney General’s Office).
Yes, if you were arrested but no charges filed, or charges dismissed, you may qualify under provisions such as Penal Code Section 851.91 to seal your arrest record (California Courts Self-Help Guide).
The timeline varies by county and case complexity. Some sources estimate 8-16 weeks for misdemeanors in straightforward cases, although more complex cases or felonies may take longer.
If you are in Manhattan Beach or elsewhere in Los Angeles County and need help with record relief, contact Okabe & Haushalter at (310) 543-7708.
