Anybody heard of these expunge law firms?

[Mister Demeanor]

I was wondering about these two law firms, "Higbee and associates" and "Restore Gun Rights". The first wants about $500 for expungement of a misdemeanor(non DV etc) and the second, "Restore Gun Rights" requires $1495 for felony or misdemeanor filing.

I would guess one is better than the other in firearms rights restoration, but could it carry more weight with a judge, if one law firm has a better track record than another?

[POLICESTATE]

I thought a misdemeanor expungement was just fill out some paperwork and have a clean record (well aside from the original charge) as well as fulfill the terms of your sentencing. Why would one need a lawyer for that?

[jdberger]

Contact Oaklander. He'll either take your case or steer you in the right direction.

Keep these types of things in the family.

[CAL.BAR]

Yep misdemeanor expungement is just a few forms, but they do have to be filled out correctly and served on the right people. The filing fee for the court is (in OC $120)($60 in SD)

Getting firearms rights back may be much more difficult.

[POLICESTATE]

Wow that's a lot of $$, in Alameda county it's only 20 bucks for a motion to vacate.

[anthonyca]

Misdemeanor expungement really doesn't do nearly as much as people think. If you have a california 10 year denial of gun rights it will not change. You can do it on your own. Just download the forms from your county.

Now getting a judgement set aside or a plea thrown out is very involved and requires a good attorney. The success rate is very low from what I was told.

[Mister Demeanor]

So in other words, it's hardly worth the effort? I was starting to think I had a shot, after reading the hype these law firms advertise, I mean, which is it?
My ten years are up, all sentencing complete, no problems since. What do I have to do to get my 2nd amendment rights back??

[anthonyca]

So in other words, it's hardly worth the effort? I was starting to think I had a shot, after reading the hype these law firms advertise, I mean, which is it?
My ten years are up, all sentencing complete, no problems since. What do I have to do to get my 2nd amendment rights back??

It is not completely worthless. If you apply for a reg job an employer can still find out you were arrested but will not see if you were convicted. It will just be missing info to them. You can answer "no" you were not convicted of a crime and in most light background checks they may not even look further. The conviction can still be used against you for sentencing in a future case though.

I have to complete MANY background checks in my job. Crazy things like the 1934 SEC act and some for police stations (it won't help there). The vast majority of them an expungement will help but for the crazy ones it will not. You will still have to tell the state for contracting and licsensing purposes and there are some other stipulations I am too lazy to post.

Can you post the charge, disposition( plea, verdict ect)? State where it happened? I know its personal but we can't help with the limited info.

If your 10 years are up as you say it sounds like you should have your rights back.

The absolute best for this in my opinion is this firm. http://www.michelandassociates.com/i...=63&Itemid=105 Joseph Silvoso is a great attorney and a call from him or Chuck to Cal Doj may be all it takes. They are very honest and helpful. If they can not help they will tell you after the first consultation.

[anthonyca]

http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/pfecapp.pdf

Did you fill out a PFEC?

[Sutcliffe]

Sounds like they are preying upon the ignorant

$500 or $1500 to do something that you ought to be able to do yourself. They might have their time and place for doing good and restoring rights, but seems like they are taking candy from babies with this.

[Mulay El Raisuli]

So in other words, it's hardly worth the effort? I was starting to think I had a shot, after reading the hype these law firms advertise, I mean, which is it?
My ten years are up, all sentencing complete, no problems since. What do I have to do to get my 2nd amendment rights back??

Not a lot. I just did this for a 20 year old matter. It was really just a matter of downloading the proper form for the proper county (San Diego, in my case) & filling it in. There is also a small fee to pay to the court. That was it. No muss, no fuss. I didn't even have to see the judge. A few days later, I had the cert.

I wouldn't pay a shyster if I were you.

The Raisuli

[CAL.BAR]

Misdemeanor expungement really doesn't do nearly as much as people think. If you have a california 10 year denial of gun rights it will not change. You can do it on your own. Just download the forms from your county.

Now getting a judgement set aside or a plea thrown out is very involved and requires a good attorney. The success rate is very low from what I was told.

Actually I'm 5 for 7 in the motion to vacate department. (but whose counting)

[CAL.BAR]

$500 or $1500 to do something that you ought to be able to do yourself. They might have their time and place for doing good and restoring rights, but seems like they are taking candy from babies with this.

As I tell all my clients, you absolutely can do some legal work yourself.. . You can also fix your own car and build your own house. . . all you need is time, and know-how.. . . and be willing to live with any messes you create.

[Flintlock Tom]

I got mine cleared about 15 years ago. In San Diego I filed one form with the county clerk, ten minutes in front of a judge and it's done.
I have purchased many guns since then. Occasionally the DoJ will ask about my record, but approve the sale when I show them the FINAL disposition of my case.
I have also received a Federal Firearms License. The ATF also asked about my record. I sent the final court papers and they sent my license.

[GuyW]

In San Diego I filed one form with the county clerk, ten minutes in front of a judge....

I think you mean the Clerk of the Superior Court? (County Clerk is different position...)

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