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“Dismissed” doesn’t mean “invisible.” I make your record match your life.
If you completed probation, you can petition the court to withdraw your guilty plea and dismiss the case. Your conviction shows as “dismissed” instead of “convicted” on most background checks.
Who qualifies: Must have completed probation (or be eligible for early termination), have no pending charges, and not currently be serving a sentence.
Even if your case was dismissed, the arrest still shows on your record. Sealing removes it entirely. Once sealed, you can legally answer “No” when asked if you’ve ever been arrested.
Who qualifies: Cases that were dismissed, acquitted, never filed, where the statute of limitations expired, or resolved through diversion — including PC 1001.95 misdemeanor diversion and PC 1001.36 Mental Health Diversion. Sealing under PC 851.91 is the standard back-end step after a successful diversion.
Proposition 47 reclassified certain felonies as misdemeanors. If you were convicted of a qualifying felony — petty theft, shoplifting, forgery under $950, simple drug possession — you can petition for retroactive reduction.
A felony on your record carries consequences a misdemeanor does not — firearms restrictions, jury service disqualification, and severe employment limitations.
I review your criminal history and identify every conviction and arrest eligible for relief. Many people qualify for more relief than they realize.
I prepare and file the appropriate petitions — PC 1203.4, PC 851.91, Prop 47, or a combination.
Some petitions require a hearing; others are granted on the papers. I handle both and ensure the order reaches the DOJ to update your RAP sheet.
I can help. During your free consultation, I’ll review your criminal history and tell you exactly what’s there and what can be done about it. Most petitions resolve within 4–8 weeks of filing.
A PC 1203.4 expungement allows the court to set aside the conviction. The plea or verdict is withdrawn, a not-guilty plea is entered, and the case is dismissed. After expungement, the defendant can answer “no” to most private-employer questions about prior convictions. The conviction still appears on government background checks, professional licensing inquiries, and immigration records.
PC 1203.4 expungement is available to defendants who completed probation successfully (or were sentenced without probation) on a misdemeanor or eligible felony, did not serve time in state prison for that offense, and are not currently charged with a new offense or on probation. Some sex offenses and serious felonies are excluded.
Expungement (PC 1203.4) sets aside a conviction after probation. Arrest sealing (PC 851.91) clears the underlying arrest record, available when the case ended without a conviction — dismissal, acquittal, no charges filed, or successful diversion. Both can be used together: a successful PC 1001.95 diversion dismissal plus PC 851.91 sealing produces the cleanest record.
From filing to court order, most uncontested PC 1203.4 expungements in San Francisco take 8 to 16 weeks. Contested petitions, complex priors, or felony reductions under Prop 47 (PC 1170.18) can take longer. The court hearing itself is typically brief — most petitions are granted on the papers without an appearance.
Yes, in two situations. PC 17(b) allows a wobbler felony to be reduced to a misdemeanor when the defendant was sentenced to probation rather than state prison. Prop 47 (PC 1170.18) allows certain non-serious, non-violent felonies — drug possession, petty theft under $950, forgery under $950 — to be reduced to misdemeanors. Reduction is filed before the expungement petition.
Expungement legal fees in San Francisco vary by complexity. Straightforward PC 1203.4 misdemeanor expungements are typically $1,500 to $2,500. Combination petitions (PC 1170.18 reduction plus expungement plus arrest sealing) range from $2,500 to $5,000+. ASH Legal quotes expungement matters upfront after reviewing the case history. Court filing fees are separate.
The fee depends on complexity — single conviction vs. multiple matters — but I quote a specific number upfront during your consultation.
Schedule Free Consultation(510) 545-6515 · ahmed@ashlegal.com
About the Author
Ahmed S. Hasan
San Francisco Criminal Defense Attorney · State Bar of California #364992
Ahmed S. Hasan is the founder of ASH Legal, a solo criminal defense practice based in San Francisco. The firm runs on flat-fee representation: one lawyer, one fee, from arraignment through resolution. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices.
Ahmed is a graduate of Emory University School of Law and a member in good standing of the State Bar of California (Bar #364992). His practice focuses on San Francisco misdemeanor defense — DUI, domestic violence, petty theft and shoplifting, drug possession, vandalism, trespassing, and assault and battery — with particular attention to diversion-track outcomes that end in dismissal under PC 1001.95, PC 1001.36 (Mental Health Diversion), PC 1001.80 (Military Diversion), and PC 1001.83 (Parental Caregiver Diversion).
Ahmed previously served as a post-bar clerk with the San Francisco Public Defender's Office, the city's largest indigent-defense practice. He is a member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley.
He represents clients at the San Francisco Hall of Justice (850 Bryant Street) and the Civic Center Courthouse. The ASH Legal office is at 15 Boardman Place, Suite 301, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Free 30-minute consultations are available by phone or Zoom. (510) 545-6515 · ahmed@ashlegal.com