Many Attorneys tell their clients the “expungement is a right. In fact, Penal Code § 1203.4 uses the word ‘shall’, meaning the court has no discretion to deny an expungement request if the defendant qualifies for expungement. “In fact, People v. Covington (2000) 82 cal. App. 4th 1263, at 1266, states that when defendant has finished the entire probation period, he or she “is entitled as a matter of right” to expungement.

To qualify for expungement in California, a conviction must be for certain offenses, generally described as any offense which involved a sentence of less than one year in county jail. If the individual was granted probation, the defendant must fulfill the condition of probation. In addition, the applicant must not be serving any sentence for any offense, on probation or charged with the commission of any offense.

Kevin Deaundra Johnson was convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence (Penal Code § 273.5 (a)) 2002. He was ordered to serve thirty days in jail, attend a 52-week batterer’s program and placed on three years of summary probation.

He was repeatedly thrown out of the 52-week batter’s program and was charged with a probation violation. Each time, the judge reinstated Johnson on probation and warned him to finish his classes.

Finally, the judge determined that Johnson was unfit for probation and ordered him in August, 2003 to serve a straight sentence of 120 days in jail. Upon completion of his time in jail, probation was terminated.

In 2011, Mr. Johnson made a motion under Penal Code § 1203.4 to set aside his guilty plea and dismiss the complaint (expungement) of his misdemeanor domestic violence charge. The grounds were that probation was terminated early. The trial court denied the motion.

Johnson appealed the decision to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. The Appellate affirmed that trial court.

Johnson then appealed the case to the Fourth Appellate District. The Fourth Appellate District, in People v. Kevin Deunder Johnson (2012 DJDAR 15756), noted that the Appellate Division held that relief under Penal Code § 1203.4 is triggered by successful completion of probation or early discharge from probation as a reward for good behavior and rehabilitation.

The Fourth Appellate District emphasized that the statutory language in section 1203.4 includes words that defendant has “fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire probationary period.” Here, Johnson did not fulfill the terms of probation. The Fourth Appellate District further emphasized that “expunging of the record is, in essence, a legislatively authorized certification of complete rehabilitation based on a prescribed showing of exemplary conduct during the entire period of probation”. People v. Lewis (2006) 146 Cal. App. 4th 294, at 297, quoting People v. Chandler (1988) 203 Cal. App. 3d 782, at 788-789.

The Fourth Appellate District then pointed out decisional law requires a defendant making an application for expungement to affirmatively establish that he or she has fulfilled all probationary conditions. People v. Ignazio (1955) 137 Cal. App. 2d Supp. 881, 882-883. All conditions of probation must be performed. Chandler, Supra, at 789.

Here, Johnson did not fulfill all probationary conditions. He was kicked out his 52-week batter’s program for missing four consecutive classes and he repeatedly failed to enroll in the classes by the deadline set by the court. Therefore, the Appellate District Court affirmed the denial of relief for Johnson under Penal Code § 1203.4.

If you are charged with a crime, do not trust your defense to an inexperienced lawyer who may not understand the current state of the law. Greg Hill has been practicing for twelve years. His office is in Torrance, California. He is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate (B.S., 1987), Boston University graduate (M.B.A., 1994) and Loyola Law School graduate (J.D., 1998). Greg Hill & Associates represents clients in Torrance, Long Beach and the surrounding areas in sex offenses, as well as DUI, domestic violence and restraining orders, drug crimes among other crimes. Visit the firm’s website at http://www.greghillassociates.com or the firm’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/greg-hill-associates/198954460153651.