A past mistake shouldn’t be a life sentence. In San Diego, a criminal record can block you from housing, high-paying jobs, and professional licensing long after you’ve served your time. California’s “Clean Slate” laws are some of the most robust in the country, but navigating the petition process requires precision and an aggressive legal strategy.
Don't Let Your Past Dictate Your Future
The court doesn’t just “hand out” expungements. Judges have broad discretion, and the District Attorney often opposes petitions to keep records public. Logan Noblin understands the “burden of proof” required to show the court that granting your relief is in the “interests of justice.” We don’t just file forms; we build a narrative of rehabilitation.
Defense In Every Corner
Expungements
The gold standard for record clearing. We petition the court to withdraw your guilty plea and dismiss the case, allowing you to legally state you were not convicted in most private sectors.
Early Termination of Probation
Don’t wait years to clear your name. If you’ve completed at least half of your probation and met all requirements (fines/classes), we can fight to end your probation early so you can expunge your record immediately.
Sealing Arrest Records
If you were arrested but never convicted, that “arrest” still shows up on background checks. We use California’s newest privacy laws to seal these records from public view permanently.
Certificate of Rehabilitation
For those who served time in state prison and aren’t eligible for a standard expungement, this court order declares you officially rehabilitated and serves as an automatic application for a Governor’s Pardon.
Juvenile Law (Record Sealing)
Mistakes made as a minor shouldn’t follow you into adulthood. We handle the complex process of sealing juvenile court files so they are destroyed and shielded from employers.
The Wins
Our Proven 4-Step Roadmap
In California, clearing your record isn’t automatic—it’s a legal petition process that requires proving to a judge that you deserve a second chance. Logan Noblin uses a proactive, narrative-driven approach to ensure the court sees you as the person you are today, not the mistake you made in the past.
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The first step is a deep dive into your criminal history (RAP sheet). We don’t just look at what happened; we look at what could happen. We determine if you are eligible for an immediate Expungement (PC 1203.4), if we need to file for Early Termination of Probation first, or if your case qualifies for Sealing (SB 731).
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A judge has the “discretion” to deny an expungement if they don’t believe it’s in the interest of justice. We counter this by building a comprehensive Mitigation Packet. This isn’t just paperwork—it’s a storyteller’s portfolio of your rehabilitation, including:
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We handle all filings with the Court and the District Attorney’s office. If the DA objects—which they often do for serious offenses or DUIs—Logan goes to “the ring” for you. We attend the hearing to argue the legal merits of your case, leveraging Logan’s reputation to push past prosecutorial pushback.
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Once the judge signs the order, the work isn’t over. We ensure the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI are properly notified to update their records. We provide you with the certified court orders so you can confidently apply for jobs, housing, and licenses.
The Result: You walk away with the legal right to say you have not been convicted of a crime in most private-sector scenarios
Common Questions
In California, an expungement (under Penal Code 1203.4) changes your “convicted” status to “dismissed.” Legally, the court withdraws your guilty or no-contest plea and dismisses the case. While it doesn’t “erase” the record from government databases, it allows you to truthfully tell most private employers that you have not been convicted of a crime.
Yes. DUIs are one of the most common cases we expunge. Even though a DUI is “priorable” (meaning it stays on your DMV record for 10 years for sentencing purposes), a criminal expungement helps you pass background checks for jobs and housing.
Historically, state prison sentences were ineligible for expungement. However, under newer California laws (like SB 731), many people who served state prison time can now petition to have their records sealed or dismissed, provided they have completed their sentence and remained law-abiding for a specific period.
Generally, you must complete your probation period before applying. However, if you have a compelling reason (like a job offer), we can file a motion for Early Termination of Probation and then immediately move for an expungement.
If you are applying for a government position, a law enforcement job, or a state-issued license (like Nursing, Real Estate, or Law), you must still disclose the conviction and the subsequent expungement. However, boards view an expungement as “evidence of rehabilitation,” making it much more likely they will grant your license.
No. An expungement under PC 1203.4 does not restore the right to own or possess a firearm if it was lost due to a felony or specific misdemeanor conviction. Restoring firearm rights typically requires a Certificate of Rehabilitation or a Governor’s Pardon.
It is possible, but difficult. We often first move to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor (if eligible under PC 17b) or ask the judge to “strike the strike” for the purposes of the dismissal. These cases require an aggressive legal narrative and a robust mitigation packet.
In the vast majority of cases, no. Once you hire our firm, we handle all the filings and court appearances. You can continue with your daily life while we argue your case in front of the judge.
The most common reasons for denial are unpaid court fines, being currently on probation for a different case, or a judge deciding that a dismissal is not in the “interests of justice.” This is why having an attorney is vital—we ensure all technical requirements are met and build a case that makes it difficult for a judge to say “no.”
