California will make sales of recreational marijuana legal on Jan. 1, 2018. So, when the law takes effect, what happens to people who have been convicted of marijuana-related crimes in the past? Thanks to a provision in California’s new marijuana laws, those convicted of nearly any marijuana offense may have the opportunity to get their conviction expunged.

New Marijuana Laws Allow Offenders to Expunge Criminal Record

According to the Drug Policy Alliance, nearly 500,000 people were arrested for marijuana crimes in California from 2006 to 2015. Those offenders now have the opportunity to clear their record or be released from custody under new California laws regarding marijuana.

Prop 64 reclassified many marijuana-related offenses, changing some felonies to misdemeanors, misdemeanors to infractions and removing some offenses completely. The re-designation of marijuana crimes went into effect immediately after voters approved Prop 64 in 2016. Since that time, at least 4,500 offenders have filed petitions seeking to have their sentences reduced or their criminal records expunged, according to the California Judicial Council.

However, many others do not know that the updates to the law allow them to seek post-conviction relief. It is estimated that up to one million people have convictions that could be reviewed under California’s new marijuana laws.

Should You Seek Post-Conviction Relief for a Marijuana Conviction?

You may be eligible for post-conviction relief under California’s new marijuana laws. If you are currently serving time in custody or are on probation or parole for a marijuana offense, you may qualify for resentencing, which may allow you to be released from custody or end your probation or parole. Contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich to find out if you are eligible for resentencing.

Your prior conviction could be impacting you by making it more difficult to find a job or apply for a certain professional license. However, now you may be able to have the conviction expunged from your record.

For example, possessing an ounce or less of marijuana is no longer a crime in California. If you were convicted of this crime, you should speak to a skilled criminal defense attorney at Wallin & Klarich about having the conviction expunged.

Wallin & Klarich Can Help You Clean Your Criminal Record

Having a criminal record could have a negative impact on you for the rest of your life. That is why you should contact an experienced post-conviction relief attorney to find out if you are eligible to clean your criminal record.

At Wallin & Klarich, our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys have been successfully helping clients obtain post-conviction relief for more than 35 years. We understand California’s new marijuana laws, and we can use them to your advantage.

With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, Los Angeles and San Diego, you can find an experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney available near you no matter where you work or live.

Call our law firm today at (888) 280-6839 for a free phone consultation about your case. We will be there when you call.