Can a felony be dropped in California?
Asked by: Dr. Milan Bednar MD | Last update: June 12, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (9 votes)
In California, a felony can be reduced to a misdemeanor in 4 ways: Accept a plea bargain to a lesser offense, Complete a pretrial diversion program, File a Penal Code 17(b) motion, or.
Can a felony be dismissed in California?
You can ask to have your felony conviction dismissed if both: You have no new cases pending. You are not on probation or parole in any case.
How to get a felony charge dropped?
- Complete felony probation.
- Agree to a plea bargain.
- Complete a pretrial diversion program.
- Demonstrate that the facts of the case don't support a felony charge.
- Felony probation.
- California pretrial diversion programs.
Can a felony be expunged in California?
California Law
For example, in California, felony convictions can only be expunged if: no time was served in state prison, felony probation was successfully completed, and. you are not currently facing criminal charges, on probation, or serving another sentence.
What is the minimum sentence for a felony in California?
Under the California felony sentencing guidelines, felony penalties can include: felony (or formal) probation, a term of at least 1 year in state prison, or. at least 16 months in county jail (only for felonies that are not serious, violent, or sexual).
Can you Expunge a Felony Conviction in California?
Do first time felony offenders go to jail in California?
First Time Offender Felony Charge Act in CA
Under the Federal First Offender Act, also known as FFOA, first-time offenders are eligible for special probation programs rather than a prison sentence. After felony probation is successfully completed, the charge and the arrest may be expunged.
What is the most common felony in California?
- Penal Code 647.6 PC – Child molestation,
- Penal Code 288 PC – Lewd acts with a minor;
- Penal Code 261 PC – Rape;
- Penal Code 211 PC – Robbery;
- Penal Code 215 PC – Carjacking;
- Penal Code 245(a)(2) PC – Assault with a firearm.
How often are felony charges dropped?
Regardless of the cause, around 25-30% of felony charges get dropped before trial, so there's a decent chance your case could get dismissed, too.
What is the second chance law in California?
In California, the “2nd Chance Law” refers to a set of laws and initiatives that aim to provide individuals who have been convicted of a crime with the opportunity to have their criminal records sealed or expunged.
How much does it cost to expunge a felony in California?
Felony Expungement $1,200* (includes a reduction to a misdemeanor when eligible) Sealing of Juvenile or Diversion Records: $3,500. Sealing of Arrest Records under 851.91 PC $1,495. Reduction to Misdemeanor under 17b or Prop 47 $750.
Can a felony charge go away?
In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison. You can face serious obstacles until you get the conviction removed from your criminal history.
What is one reason prosecutors may decide to dismiss cases?
Legal Issues or Procedural Errors: Prosecutors may dismiss a case if there are significant legal issues or procedural errors that could compromise the fairness of the trial. This could include violations of the defendant's constitutional rights, mishandling of evidence, or other legal irregularities.
What is the new law in California for expungement?
There is a new law in California that went into effect in 2023 called the California Clean Slate Act (SB 731). Under the Clean Slate Act, authorities will automatically expunge – or dismiss – certain arrests and criminal convictions.
How to avoid a felony conviction?
The 5 most common ways to get a felony charge dropped are (1) to show a lack of probable cause, (2) to demonstrate a violation of your constitutional rights, (3) to accept a plea agreement, (4) to cooperate with law enforcement in another case, or (5) to enter a pretrial diversion program.
How does a felony affect your life in California?
A felony conviction can have significant and long-lasting consequences that can profoundly impact an individual's life, including the potential loss of fundamental rights, employment and housing challenges, and restrictions on various aspects of their personal and professional life.
What is the two dismissal rule in California?
Under California Penal Code § 1387, one dismissal of a misdemeanor not charged together with a felony is a bar to any other prosecution of that misdemeanor. Similarly, two dismissals of a case charged as a felony is a bar to further prosecution of the action.
What is the 50% rule in California?
The “Fifty Percent Law” (50% Law), as defined in Education Code Section 84362 and California Code of Regulations Section 59200 et seq., requires each district to spend at least half of its current expense of education each fiscal year for salaries and benefits of classroom instructors.
What is the California 7 year rule?
Section 2855(a) limits the term of personal service employment to seven years, i.e. a personal service employment contract may not be enforced for a period exceeding seven years. This is the reason the statute is famously known as the “Seven Year Rule.”
What crimes cannot be expunged in California?
- Child pornography crimes.
- Certain sexual assault crimes.
- Committing lewd acts with a minor.
- Failure to submit to a police inspection of vehicle.
What percentage of felony cases are dismissed?
Most felony filings result in convictions. Convictions are the norm in all cases. In 2013–14, 70% of felony cases that were resolved before trial resulted in a felony conviction, 13% resulted in a misdemeanor conviction, and 17% were dismissed, transferred, or resulted in an acquittal.
Do you always get jail time for a felony?
Understanding Felony Sentences in California
These include offenses like grand theft, certain drug offenses, and violent crimes. Traditionally, felonies carry the possibility of a state prison sentence, fines, or both. However, not all felony convictions lead to jail time.
How many times can a felony case be reset?
Resetting a Felony Case
The number of times a case can be reset depends on the circumstances. For example, if a defendant has a court-appointed public defender, they can automatically reset the case three times. However, a criminal defense attorney who you hire on your own can automatically reset a case four times.
Does a felony ever go away in California?
Felony convictions are not automatically expunged with the passage of time but require the filing and granting of an Expungement Petition by the Court. Many felony cases are "wobblers"; that is, they can be reduced to misdemeanors (even after many years) and then expunged in the same court proceeding.
How bad is a felony in California?
Under California law, a felony is a serious criminal offense that can result in imprisonment for more than one year. Felonies are considered more severe than misdemeanors and can have significant consequences, including loss of voting rights (while in prison), professional licenses, and the ability to own firearms.
What is considered a serious felony in CA?
A complete list of the serious felonies in California are: Murder (PC 187) or voluntary manslaughter (PC 192) Mayhem (PC 203) Rape (PC 261)