IMPORTANT NOTICE: SOS Consulting Services LLC is a Legal Document Assistant — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. LDA #2026000268 — Los Angeles County.

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Dismissal (Expungement) · Penal Code §1203.4 · CR-180 · Los Angeles County

Dismissal (Expungement)

Document Preparation.

We prepare dismissal (Penal Code §1203.4) document packages at your direction. Commonly called “expungement” — in California this is a Petition for Dismissal, not a record erasure.

Conocido como “expungement” — pero en California el proceso oficial es una Petición de Desestimación bajo el Código Penal §1203.4. Preparamos sus documentos bajo su dirección. Servicio en inglés y español.

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Limited intake slots available each week. Early booking recommended.

PC §1203.4 Document Preparation
Official Judicial Council Form CR-180
Flat-Fee — No Hidden Costs
Bilingual EN/ES
LDA #2026000268 · E&O Insured
Serving Los Angeles County

What is “expungement” in California?
In California, this process is commonly called an “expungement,” but it is a dismissal under Penal Code §1203.4 and does not erase the record. It is filed on Judicial Council Form CR-180 (Petition for Dismissal, effective January 1, 2024). If granted, the court record is updated to show the conviction was dismissed — but the arrest and conviction remain in other databases. We prepare documents at your specific direction. We do not provide legal advice or determine eligibility.

Why This Matters

A past conviction can follow you. This is one path toward relief.

A criminal conviction on your record may affect jobs, housing, professional licenses, and more — even years after you’ve completed your sentence. California law provides a limited remedy worth knowing about.

When granted, a dismissal can help you move forward with employment, housing, and personal goals.

Job applications where a background check revealed a past conviction
Rental housing applications reviewed by private landlords
Professional license applications that ask about criminal history
College or vocational training programs with background requirements
A desire to take a positive step toward closing a chapter of your life
Part of a broader record-cleaning strategy — consult an attorney for complex cases

Service & Flat-Fee Pricing

PC §1203.4 Petition for Dismissal Document Preparation

We prepare the court document package for your Petition for Dismissal at your specific direction under California Penal Code §1203.4. Court filing fees are paid separately by you directly to the court.

Includes preparation of Petition for Dismissal (CR-180) and related forms · Judicial Council · Los Angeles County Superior Court

Record-Cleaning Document Package

Dismissal under California Penal Code §1203.4 allows a person, if granted by the court, to withdraw a guilty or no-contest plea and have the case dismissed. This is commonly referred to as an “expungement,” but it does not erase the record.

We prepare the document package at your specific direction. We do not determine eligibility or provide legal advice.

$500

Flat Fee — document preparation only + court filing fees paid by you directly to the court Includes complete document package preparation and step-by-step filing instructions. Free screening call · No surprises

Am I Eligible?

Common Situations Where People Request This Service

The following reflects common situations in which people request this document preparation service. You are responsible for confirming eligibility or consulting an attorney.

May Be Eligible

Probation completed successfully and no new charges pending
Most misdemeanor convictions (specific exceptions apply)
Certain felonies sentenced to county jail under PC §1170(h), not state prison
Probation terminated early by the court
Not currently on probation or parole in any case

May NOT Be Eligible

Currently on probation, serving a sentence, or facing pending charges
Certain sex offenses requiring PC §290 registration
Felonies served in California state prison (unless sentence was realigned)
Specified violent offenses listed in statute
Federal convictions (California state law does not apply)
This is general information only — not legal advice. Eligibility is a legal question that depends on the specific facts of your case. If you are unsure whether you qualify, consult a licensed California attorney before filing.

What a PC §1203.4 dismissal may — and may not — do

Understanding the full picture is important. This is not an erasure of your record. Results depend on your specific situation.

What It May Do

Updates court record to show dismissal, if granted by the court
May improve employment opportunities depending on circumstances
May help with private background check situations depending on circumstances
Provides a path toward moving forward after a conviction

What It Does NOT Do

Does not erase the arrest or conviction from every database or government record
Does not automatically restore firearm rights (separate legal process required)
Does not automatically eliminate immigration consequences — consult an immigration attorney
May still need to be disclosed in certain contexts including government jobs and licensing boards
This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. For questions specific to your case, consult a licensed California attorney.

How It Works

Your document preparation — step by step

Step 1

Free Screening Call

Tell us about your situation. We confirm whether your request falls within our document preparation services. If your situation requires legal advice, we will refer you to an attorney.
Step 2

Free Consultation & Intake

We discuss the document-preparation service you are requesting and gather the information you provide — court case number, conviction details, sentence information, and probation status. You direct the content throughout.
Step 3

Document Preparation

We prepare your complete Petition for Dismissal package (Judicial Council Form CR-180) based on the information you provide. Standard turnaround: 5–7 business days. You review and approve everything before it is finalized.
Step 4

You File with the Court

You file your petition at the Los Angeles County Superior Court where your case was heard. We provide clear, step-by-step fi
Step 5

Court Hearing (if required)

Some cases require a court appearance — many do not. The court will notify you. If the judge grants the petition, your case will be updated to show dismissed under PC §1203.4.

“I had been living with this on my record for years and didn’t know where to start. Sara explained the process clearly, prepared all my paperwork, and made sure I understood every step. The service was professional, affordable, and bilingual — she walked me through everything in Spanish. I finally feel like I have a real chance at moving forward.”

Luis

PC §1203.4 Document Preparation Client, Los Angeles, CA

Is this a true 'expungement'?

No. California does not have true expungement. What is commonly called an “expungement” is a Petition for Dismissal under Penal Code §1203.4, filed on Judicial Council Form CR-180. If granted, the court updates the record to show the conviction was dismissed — but it does not erase the record from every database or government system.

How long does the process take?

We prepare your documents within 5–7 business days of receiving your complete information. After you file, timing varies by courthouse and court calendar. Many cases take several weeks to a few months after filing — the court will notify you of any hearing date.

Does this affect immigration status?

This is critical — consult an immigration attorney before proceeding if immigration is a concern. A California state dismissal under PC §1203.4 does not automatically eliminate immigration consequences under federal law. Federal immigration authorities may still treat a dismissed conviction as a conviction for immigration purposes.

I finished probation years ago. Can I still apply?

There is no time limit on when you can file after successfully completing probation. Many people apply years or decades later once they learn this option exists.

Do I need an attorney?

Not always. For cases with straightforward facts, you may represent yourself in court. We prepare the documents at your direction as a self-help service. However, if your case involves complex eligibility questions, immigration concerns, or contested facts, we will refer you to a licensed attorney.

Is the service available in Spanish?

Sí. Todos los servicios están disponibles en inglés y español. Nuestra operadora es hispanohablante nativa. Podemos realizar todo el proceso completamente en español.

Ready to take the next step?

Flat-fee $500 + filing fees. Free screening call. No surprises. Bilingual English & Spanish.

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Free screening call · Flat-fee pricing · No surprises · English & Spanish · Mon–Fri 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
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