Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

288(a): Reduced? Or Expunged?

When I was 18, I was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14.

I did roughly 30 days in county jail, and 3 years probation.

I messed up by forgetting about a day on my community service (A.O.W.P) around the end of my term and ended up doing 3 more weeks in county. But continued with my probation, and finished without any other issues.

Im now 23, and still struggling to keep a decent job with this on my record. Even with a degree.

Does this seem to have any possibility of a reduction or removal?


Asked on 2/01/10, 2:58 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

The following sex related charges can not be reduced or expunged.

PC 286(c) � sodomy w child 10 yr diff in age

PC288 � lewd conduct w child

PC288a(c) � lewd conduct w child 10 yr diff in age

PC288.5 � repeated lewd conduct w child

PC289(j) � sex w minor 10 yr diff in age

PC261.5(d) � statutory rape felony

Other than that, the general rules are:

Many convictions can sometimes be 'expunged' by proper application and Motion to the court, but only if there was no prison time served or even sentenced, if it was not for certain sex and Domestic Violence crimes, if all terms of probation [and at least one year] are completed and finished, and if there are no new charges pending. If successful, the conviction would be retroactively withdrawn and the charges dismissed. That does not 'remove' the conviction, but merely changes the record to show 'conviction reversed and dismissed by expungement'. If expunged, you would be able to say 'no' to conviction on most private employment applications. However, the conviction is still a 'prior' for purposes of repeat offense, and must be disclosed on any application for government and professional licensing, bonding, security clearance, etc. The agency and employer then can decide whether you are barred from employment because of your conviction. The Labor Code prohibits employers [not others] from asking about arrests that didn't end in conviction, or seeking that info from other sources, or using that info to deny employment. Private parties are not supposed to be able to access the records, but like all rules, there are ways around it. If you�re serious about doing so, and you think you qualify, feel free to contact me for the legal help you'll need.

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Answered on 2/06/10, 1:21 pm


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