July 2015

Can I Become A Police Officer With A Criminal Record?

Our nation arrests its citizens in massive numbers. As many as 1/3 of our entire population is said to have a criminal record (If you have been arrested, you have a criminal record) before the age of 23 according to a 2011 National Institute of Justice Article. As a result of this unfortunate reality, many Americans …

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Police officer criminal record

Early Probation Termination in California

If you are currently on probation for an offense in California, is there any way to terminate your probation early?  The answer is YES!  Fortunately, California law allows a defendant to petition the court and request early termination of their probation.  Here is what you need to know! Often times the court imposes a very …

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Early probation termination in California

Is Ohio The Next State To Expunge Marijuana Convictions?

We have been observing some trends related to marijuana legalization throughout our country.  We are starting to see the results of what this new legislation will do for those with criminal records for nonviolent marijuana convictions. If Ohio follows the path of Oregon and Colorado and successfully votes to legalize the drug, many advocates believe …

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Marijuana Expungement Ohio

High Times May Lie Ahead in Oregon

The State of Oregon recently passed a law that legalized the recreational use of marijuana.  The new law reclassifies marijuana related offenses and contains a provision allowing for retroactive expungement of many marijuana related offenses.  Prior convictions for possession, delivery, and manufacture of marijuana are potentially eligible for reduction to misdemeanor or expungement.   Motor …

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Marijuana criminal justice reform Oregon

Have A Criminal Record And Want To Rent In California?

Landlords are very discerning in deciding who they allow to rent or lease a property. Rarely do you find a landlord that will happily lease an apartment to someone with a conviction on their record.  Think about it, if you were a landlord, wouldn’t you want to lease your apartment or home to someone who …

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Renting with a criminal record in California

Graduating Soon? Don’t Let Your Criminal Past Take Away From Your Career Potential

If you are one of the many thousands of students graduating from college or a trade school this year and you have a criminal past of any sort, it may make for a bittersweet transition upon graduation.  A criminal history record could pose a significant barrier to obtaining employment. This is something you do not …

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Graduation with a criminal record

California Felony Reductions and “Wobbler” Criminal Offenses

By:  Sam Eastman, Partner, Eastman Meyler, PC Eligibility for Felony Reductions in California When convicted of a felony, many civil rights and other privileges are taken away, and unless you’re able to obtain a felony reduction, pardon, or some other post-conviction relief, you will be branded as a “felon” for the rest of your life.  …

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California: Sealing Arrests Relating to Domestic Violence

By: Jeff Libersat, Partner, Eastman, Libersat, Meyler, PC Reasons Domestic Violence Arrests in California are Common Domestic violence-related arrests are among the most common types of arrests in California. The reason for this is that most police departments have a policy in place requiring them to make an arrest after being called to the scene …

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How to Avoid a Criminal Record Expungement Scam

As something complex gains popularity in a society, more opportunity emerges for scam artists to prey on the unassuming and unsophisticated.  This has happened (and continues to happen) in many industries including but not limited to the financial industry (remember Bernie Madoff?), the mortgage industry and many others.  The same is true when it comes …

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Criminal Record Expungement Scam