Is it possible to have a shoplifting charge expunged?

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Wednesday, Aug 01, 2012

I was arrested for shoplifting when I was 18. No time, just a fine and community service, but whenever I apply for a job it comes back to haunt me. Can I have this expunged?

Answers

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Aug 22, 2012
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There is no such thing as "expungement" in California; there is a 1203.4 "dismissal" that is not a true dismissal, but which some attorneys try to convince people is "expungement," but be not deluded - your past can come back to haunt you even after that "corrective" "dismissal" is entered on your record. You should hire counsel to pull this off, especially one who will be honest and tell you that your record is not really expunged and who will tell you what is and is not gone with that sort of procedure.

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Aug 15, 2012
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I definitely agree with the above answer. The only thing I would add is that there is an advantage to hiring an attorney in order to help you with the expungement process. In the counties in which I practice, San Bernardino and Riverside, if you do not hire an attorney and file a written motion with the Court, then the Court will not provide you with a hearing date. So if you just submit the forms that the Clerk provides to you, then your forms will just be submitted to any Judge, and basically sit on their desk until they get around to looking at them and responding.

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Aug 01, 2012
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Absolutely! This momentary lapse of judgement and youthful indiscretion can and should be expunged from your record. You should be eligible to have the matter expunged if you have completed probation, paid the fine and are not currently on probation for another offense. Call my office at 619-525-9911 to start the expungement process today.