Los Angeles Lawyers Who Can Seal Your Arrest Record

At the Kosnett Law Firm, our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys can help our residents seal their arrest records, so they have nothing holding them back from living their best lives.

Our Los Angeles County lawyers understand that the weight of arrest can follow you throughout your personal, professional, and social life, and we want to help you remove the stigma of your arrest record by sealing it completely.

How Is It Possible To Seal My Arrest Record In California?

California Legislation allows individual records to be sealed if the person was arrested but never convicted of a crime, so it will not show up on most background checks within the state.

The law has evolved to allow an arrest record to be sealed as a matter of right.

What Does Sealing An Arrest Record “As A Matter of Right” Mean?

Our previous California laws required that the person who was arrested had the burden of proof that s/he was factually innocent in order to have his or her arrest record sealed.

The new law shifts the burden of proof to the prosecutor. S/he must prove that the person who was arrested is NOT entitled to have their record sealed.

Who Can Have Their Arrest Record Sealed In Los Angeles?

There are many reasons why you would be eligible to have your arrest record sealed.

They can include if:

  • Criminal charges were never filed
  • Criminal charges were filed, but later dismissed
  • You were found not guilty in a jury trial
  • You fully and successfully completed a presentencing or pretrial diversion program
  • Your conviction was overturned on appeal or vacated

Like most legal issues, there are exceptions to the eligibility of sealing an arrest record.

When the person who was arrested has a history of arrests and/or convictions for:

  • Child abuse
  • Elder abuse
  • Domestic violence

The law states that the person arrested must show a pattern — defined as two or more convictions, or five or more arrests, within a three-year period — of these crimes in order to be ineligible to have their record sealed.

Who Else Is NOT Eligible To Have An Arrest Record Sealed?

It is important to understand that not everyone’s record is eligible to be sealed in California.

You may not be eligible to have your arrest record sealed if you:

  • May still be charged with any of the offenses you were arrested for
  • Were arrested for murder or any other crime that does not have a statute of limitations — unless you were acquitted or found factually innocent of said charge
  • Intentionally evaded prosecution of the arrest, including fleeing the jurisdiction or engaging in identity fraud

What Are The Benefits Of Sealing An Arrest Record In Los Angeles, California?

At the Kosnett Law Firm, our criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles want everyone to know that criminal records are public, and they can be accessed and viewed by anyone who completes a background check on a person who has been arrested.

This includes:

  • Prospective employers
  • Apartment owners
  • State licensing agencies
  • Insurance companies
  • Financial institutions
  • Schools, colleges, and universities

If someone has access to a computer, they can easily obtain a background check on the person they are researching. This can include people who would like more information on a potential love interest, friends, or even people who are dating their loved ones. When an arrest is returned in their research, they may not care whether there was a conviction — or what your side of the story may be.

Sealing your arrest record means it will no longer be available to the public, which means you do not have to deal with the stress and anxiety of someone finding out about a legal mistake you made in the past. This means you will get a fresh start when applying for a new job, or when signing a lease.

Our Criminal Defense Law Firm In California Include The Following Practice Areas:

How Can The Kosnett Law Firm Help Seal My Los Angeles Arrest Record?

At the Kosnett Law Firm, we believe in protecting the rights of our clients in every aspect of their lives, which is why we work tirelessly to provide our residents with the privacy they deserve by having their arrest records sealed. You should not have to relive a legal mistake you made in the past, each time someone does an internet search in your name. Allow our attorneys to provide you with the fresh start you deserve.

Contact Our Los Angeles Sealing Criminal Record Lawyers Today For A Free Consultation

With the new laws in place that allow individual records sealed as a matter of right, our defense Lawyers in Los Angeles, California will design a petition to have your records sealed completely if you have not been convicted of the crime, by calling our offices today at 310-445-5900 or emailing our attorneys directly to schedule a free initial consultation.

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