California PC 422(a) Reduction to Misdemeanor & Expungement

September 23, 2018

In California, conveying a criminal threat is a wobbler making it charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. It’s codified under penal code 422(a) pc and conviction carries lasting consequences including a life-time ban to owning a firearm. Furthermore, if you were convicted of felony criminal threat, then the strike attaches even if you subsequently reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor.

The government will consider your prior criminal history and the severity of the circumstances prior to deciding whether to charge you with a felony or misdemeanor.  Fortunately, if you suffer from a felony conviction you may be eligible to reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor under Penal Code 17(b).  Reduction can occur through negotiations with the prosecutor, obtaining a court indicated from the judge who will agree to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor, requesting the court to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor at the conclusion of preliminary hearing, or after successfully completing your probation period.  If petitioning to reduce your felony to a misdemeanor after probation, the court will consider the following factors:

  • Whether you suffered any probation violations;
  • Whether you’re a threat to society;
  • The likelihood that you’ll re-offend;
  • Your prior criminal history;
  • The reason you’re seeking reduction – e.g., employment, military, etc.

To expunge your conviction, a specific petition must be filed under Penal Code 1203.4.  To obtain this remedy, you must have fully completed your probation period.  In most cases, your attorney will file a reduction motion along with an expungement petition to be conjointly litigated during the same hearing.

If you have been convicted of PC 422(a), and you seek reduce your felony to a misdemeanor and/or expunge your criminal threat conviction, then contact us today schedule a free confidential consultation. Call the Law Offices of John D. Rogers and speak with an experienced Newport Beach criminal defense lawyer.

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