Expungement Services in Silverado, CA

Starting July 1, 2024, Senate Bill 731 expanded the rules for record sealing across California, including in Silverado. This law allows many felony convictions that are nonviolent, nonserious, and unrelated to sexual offenses to qualify for automatic sealing – even for individuals who previously served prison time. For more serious cases, relief may still be available by filing a petition with the court. The Department of Justice now performs monthly reviews to identify and seal eligible records.

It’s important to know that an expungement does not completely erase your history. In most cases, your record won’t appear on standard employment or housing background checks in Silverado, but certain government agencies and law enforcement will still have access when necessary. This usually applies to higher-level background reviews or ongoing investigations.

Not all offenses qualify under California law. Residents of Silverado should be aware that expungement is not available for:

• Murder or attempted murder

• Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter

• Serious sexual offenses, including rape or child pornography

• Violent crimes in restricted categories

• Some domestic violence convictions

• Felonies committed while on probation

• Certain traffic-related crimes

Even if your case doesn’t qualify, there may be alternative legal options depending on your situation.

The cost of expungement in California can vary depending on the case. For Silverado residents, typical expenses include:

• Court filing fees – In Los Angeles County, the filing fee is about $150 for felony cases and around $60 for misdemeanors.

• Attorney fees – Many lawyers charge between $900 and $1,200, depending on case complexity and whether a felony reduction is included.

• Package services – Some providers bundle expungement with related motions, such as probation termination or felony reduction, which may change the overall price.

At Laguna Legal, we focus on making these services affordable and transparent.

In most cases, expungements take 10 to 16 weeks, though the exact timeframe depends on the court calendar and the specifics of your case. In Silverado, the process may take longer if your petition requires a hearing or if the courts are experiencing delays.

Once granted, an expungement in Silverado is generally permanent. That means your record should stay cleared. The only exception is rare cases where new criminal charges are filed, which may prompt the court to review or reopen the record.

Hiring an experienced expungement attorney can make the process less stressful and increase your chances of success. An attorney can:

• Ensure all paperwork is accurate and complete

• Guide you through the legal process

• Represent you in court if necessary

• Improve your likelihood of a favorable outcome

Attorneys familiar with the Silverado court system can also help move the case along smoothly and anticipate potential challenges.