Criminal Law

A Second Chance,
Handled Right

A criminal record should not define your future. The Berhe Law Firm offers flat-fee expungement document preparation under California Penal Code 1203.4. Our $350 pro se package gives you court-ready documents - you handle the filing. Clear your record and move forward.

Check your eligibility

Our Approach

Criminal Record
Expungement

A California expungement under Penal Code 1203.4 does not erase your criminal record - but it changes the narrative. When granted, the court reopens your case, withdraws your guilty plea (or sets aside the verdict), and enters a dismissal. Your record then reflects "dismissed" rather than "convicted," which matters enormously for employment background checks, housing applications, and professional licensing.

The Berhe Law Firm offers attorney-supervised expungement document preparation using Harlan Intelligence™. This is a limited-scope engagement under Cal. Rule of Prof. Conduct 1.2(b) - we prepare your court-ready documents, and you handle filing and all court interaction. This approach keeps costs low while ensuring your paperwork is prepared by a licensed attorney.

Our process begins with a structured eligibility questionnaire based on the requirements of PC 1203.4. Once eligibility is confirmed, you choose the path that fits your needs and budget.

Pro Se Document Package

$350

Attorney-supervised preparation of your Petition for Dismissal (CR-180) and Proposed Order. You receive court-ready documents with detailed filing instructions for your county. You handle filing and any court interaction yourself.

Flat fee, no hourly billing. Payment collected only after documents are completed and delivered. A written fee agreement is provided before work begins per Cal. Rules Prof. Conduct, Rule 1.5(b) and Rule 1.15(b). All flat fees are subject to the disclosures required by Rule 1.15(b), including your right to require deposit in a client trust account. Court filing fees (if any) are separate and vary by county - Riverside County does not charge a filing fee. This is a LIMITED SCOPE engagement under Rule 1.2(b): document preparation only. You are responsible for filing documents with the court and all court interaction. Does not include court appearances, hearings, or correspondence with the District Attorney's office. Most expungement petitions under PC 1203.4 are decided on the papers without a hearing.

Services

What We Handle

Misdemeanor Expungement (PC 1203.4)

Attorney-supervised petition preparation to reopen a misdemeanor conviction, withdraw the plea, and obtain a dismissal. Pro se document package ($350) - limited scope per Rule 1.2(b), document preparation only. Changes your record disposition from "convicted" to "dismissed" for most private employment and housing background checks.

Felony Reduction to Misdemeanor (PC 17(b))

Petition to reduce a wobbler felony - one that could have been charged as either a felony or misdemeanor - to a misdemeanor under Penal Code 17(b), making it eligible for subsequent expungement.

Early Termination of Probation (PC 1203.3)

Petition to terminate probation before the scheduled end date based on satisfactory compliance and rehabilitative progress. Early termination is often a prerequisite step before filing for expungement.

Certificate of Rehabilitation

Judicial declaration of rehabilitation for individuals who have completed their sentence and demonstrated exemplary conduct. Serves as an automatic application for a Governor's pardon and can restore certain rights.

Record Sealing for Arrests (PC 851.91)

Petition to seal and destroy an arrest record where the arrest did not result in a conviction - including cases dismissed, acquitted, or never charged. Sealed arrests are not disclosed on background checks.

Prop 47 & Prop 64 Reclassification

Petitions to reclassify certain felony drug and theft offenses to misdemeanors under Proposition 47, and to reduce or dismiss marijuana-related convictions under Proposition 64 and Health and Safety Code Section 11361.8.

Our Approach

How We Handle Expungement Cases

01

Eligibility Review

We begin with a structured eligibility review using Harlan Intelligence. The questionnaire walks through the PC 1203.4 criteria - probation completion, current legal status, restitution, and conviction type - before any fee is collected.

02

Attorney-Supervised Document Preparation

We prepare your Petition for Dismissal (CR-180) and Proposed Order under attorney supervision. All documents are reviewed and approved by a licensed California attorney before delivery.

03

Filing & Disposition

You receive court-ready documents with detailed filing instructions for your county. You file with the court yourself. This is a limited-scope engagement under Rule 1.2(b) - document preparation only. Most petitions are decided on the paperwork alone - no hearing required.

Related Articles

Can You Get Your Criminal Record Expunged in California?

A complete guide to eligibility, process, and what expungement actually does.

Common Questions

Criminal Law & Expungement - What Clients Ask

Answers to frequently asked questions about California expungement. This information is general and does not constitute legal advice for your specific circumstances.

Expungement under PC 1203.4 allows a person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor (or certain felonies) to petition the court to reopen the case, withdraw their guilty or no contest plea, and have the case dismissed. It does not erase the conviction from your record, but it changes the disposition to "dismissed." After expungement, you can legally state on most private employment applications that you have not been convicted of a crime. However, you must still disclose the conviction when applying for government positions, professional licenses (such as a law license or medical license), or when asked by law enforcement.
To qualify for mandatory expungement under PC 1203.4, you must meet all of the following criteria: (1) you have completed probation - either served the full term or received early termination; (2) you are not currently serving a sentence for any offense, on probation for any offense, or charged with any crime; (3) all court-ordered fines have been paid (note: as of 2023, unpaid victim restitution alone cannot be used to deny expungement); and (4) your conviction is not for a sex offense requiring registration under PC 290 or certain offenses against children. If you did not fully complete probation, the court still has discretion to grant expungement "in the interests of justice" based on your rehabilitation and circumstances.
The expungement process typically takes 3 to 5 months from filing to court decision, depending on the county and court calendar. Some counties move faster. Most expungement petitions are decided on the paperwork alone without a hearing - the judge reviews the petition, the District Attorney may file an objection or no response, and the court issues its order. In the rare event the court sets a hearing, the scope of representation can be discussed at that time - our flat-fee packages cover document preparation and filing, not court appearances. Once the Order for Dismissal is granted, your record is updated to reflect the dismissal.
Yes, under certain circumstances. If your felony conviction resulted in probation (not state prison), you may petition for expungement under PC 1203.4 the same way as a misdemeanor. Additionally, if your felony is a "wobbler" - an offense that could have been charged as either a felony or misdemeanor - you can petition the court to reduce it to a misdemeanor under PC 17(b) before seeking expungement. Since July 2023, California Senate Bill 731 also expanded eligibility to include certain felony convictions that resulted in a prison sentence, provided at least two years have passed since completing the sentence and the offense is not excluded by law.

Criminal Law & Expungement

Ready to Clear Your Record?

Find out in minutes whether you qualify for expungement under California Penal Code 1203.4. Use Harlan to walk through eligibility or call us directly to speak with the firm.

Check your eligibility (662) 482-4781

Contacting this firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Pursuant to California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.18, unsolicited information shared before an engagement is established may not be treated as confidential. Please do not include sensitive legal details in your initial message. Results vary by case - prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results. Attorney Advertising.

Ask Harlan