If you're like many individuals convicted of Los Angeles DUI, you may worry that there's no way to repair the damage to your criminal record and your reputation. However, it may be possible to clear up your record through the process of post-conviction relief.  If you've been arrested for DUI in Los Angeles, you may know that your record could hold you back.  It doesn't have to be this way!  Speak with a Los Angeles DUI attorney now.  Your attorney can thoroughly review your case to determine whether you may benefit from expungement or other post conviction relief options.

The type of post-conviction relief available to you will depend on the nature of your conviction and the punishment you received. California criminal offenses are categorized in one of three ways felonies punishable by a year or more in state prison; misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in county jail; and "wobblers" offenses that can be punished either way but are typically prosecuted as felonies.

If you're still on probation for your Los Angeles DUI offense, you're probably not eligible for post-conviction relief. However, an experienced Los Angles DUI attorney can ask the court to terminate your probation early so that you can benefit from the various types of post-conviction relief available.

In order to terminate your probation early, the court must be convinced of your good conduct and reform, and that the interests of justice would be served by early termination. Your attorney will submit a motion to the court in which the original conviction took place asking for a modification of your probation. You must pay all fines and restitution in order for the court to terminate your probation early.

Once your probation has been terminated, a qualified criminal defense attorney can petition the court to reduce a felony conviction to a misdemeanor. The only felonies eligible for reduction are "wobblers." If the court grants your request, your felony conviction will become a misdemeanor with a few exceptions.

If your felony Los Angeles DUI charge is reduced to a misdemeanor, the original offense will still count as a felony in any subsequent criminal action, meaning that if you face similar charges in the future, you'll face increased punishment as a result of the first conviction. In addition, you'll still be restricted in your right to possess firearms, because federal gun statutes supersede state laws.

Another option that may be available to you after a Los Angeles DUI conviction is expungement. Only certain convictions can be expunged. Whether or not your conviction is eligible for expungement depends on whether you were charged as a juvenile or an adult, whether you were convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony, whether you were placed on probation, and whether you were sentenced to state prison.

Having a prior California criminal conviction expunged can remove roadblocks to employment, professional licenses, education and other opportunities, and bring you tremendous peace of mind. A skilled Los Angeles DUI attorney will thoroughly review your case file to determine whether expungement or another form of post-conviction relief is available to you.