Category Archives: expungement
How Does the California Expungement Process Work?
Reviewed by Paul Hecht, California Expungement Attorney | Last Updated: July 2026 How Does the California Expungement Process Work? The California expungement process involves petitioning the court to dismiss a conviction under Penal Code § 1203.4. The steps are: confirm eligibility, gather court … Continue reading
How Much Does Expungement Cost in California — and How Long Does It Take?
Reviewed by Paul Hecht, California Expungement Attorney | Last Updated: July 2026 The cost of expungement in California depends on court filing fees, case complexity, and whether you hire an attorney. Court filing fees alone are typically low to moderate … Continue reading
Illinois Marijuana Expungement Through House Bill 1438
The New Year brings new laws and Illinois’ headline law change is the legalization of recreational marijuana. It is one of the few states to legalize via the state legislature rather than by direct democracy. Included in this legalization law and the focus of this article is an adjustment to how certain cannabis offenses will be expunged. Continue reading
Expungement Law Expanding Nationwide – More Protection for Former Offenders
Legislatures across the country are increasingly concerned about irrational discrimination in the housing and job market that is based on old criminal records. There were more than 20 new expungement laws that either created or expanded the ability to expunge records in the past 3 years. Continue reading
Indiana Appeals Court: Trial Judges Have No Discretion in Certain Expungements
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today that judges do not have discretion to deny a valid petition for expungement of a low-level felony or misdemeanor conviction. The appellate court held that the use of the word “shall” from Indiana’s 2013 expungement law change prevents judges from exercising discretion in deciding these expungement requests. Continue reading
