Southern California's
Premier Post Conviction Law Firm

California Post-Conviction Relief Attorney in Pasadena

Serving Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Valley & Beyond

How our Post-Conviction Relief Attorneys Can Help You

If you are still suffering the consequences of a prior conviction, such as immigration, employment, or reputational consequences, we may be able to vacate, eliminate, or reduce the conviction to remedy the negative impact you are presently suffering.

What is Post-Conviction Relief?

Post-Conviction Relief is the process of filing a motion in court and seeking to vacate (eliminate), modify, or reduce a conviction in order to improve or “clean” your record.

What is the Process for Post-Conviction Relief?

First, you hire our office to evaluate your likelihood of success in winning the motion to vacate or modify the conviction. We gather the available relevant court records, we conduct a 40 point legal assessment, we interview you to determine the facts of the case, the circumstances of the plea agreement, and how well you have lived your life since the conviction.

If you are an immigrant we also consult with your post conviction relief immigration attorney to identify your needs and goals.

To learn more about post conviction relief related to immigration, call our firm today!

Second, if we determine that you have a strong likelihood of winning the “Post-conviction Motion”, you then hire our office to prepare, file and litigate the motion in court. In many instances, you personally do not even need to appear in court.

Third, if we are successful in fighting the conviction, we obtain and provide you a certified court order stating that your conviction is now vacated (eliminated), modified or reduced!

What are Post-Conviction Motions?

There are two kinds of Post-conviction Motions. One type is, in essence, mandatory relief motions where, if you qualify, the court must grant the motion, such as Proposition 47, Proposition 64, and many Expungements under Penal Code section 1203.4 or declarations of legal invalidity under Penal Code section 1203.43.

The other kind of Post-conviction Motions are, in essence, discretionary, where the judge decides if you have met your burden of proving you are legally entitled to vacate or modify your conviction or sentence. Having a motion granted under this second type of motion is more difficult to achieve, but it is a more effective form of relief for your criminal history and reputation.

These motions are often the following:

A Penal Code section 1473.7 Motion

In litigating a Penal Code section 1473.7 motion, we must establish that a “prejudicial error” existed that caused you to “fail to meaningfully understand, or knowing accept” the immigration consequences or your plea.

This could be done by presenting persuasive evidence that you were not properly advised of the immigration consequences of your plea agreement, or that you were not aware of or pursue an alternative immigration safe plea agreement, or that your sentence was inadvertently and needlessly one day too long. These among other basis for relief can justify vacating your conviction or sentence.

A Penal Code section 1016.5 Motion

In litigating a Penal Code section 1016.5 motion, among other points of investigation, we assess the court file, the transcript of the plea, we evaluate any waiver form that you may have signed and we interview you to determine your recollection of the plea process. If it appears that the record does not establish that you were properly advised that “as a result of a conviction for the offense for which you are charged, you may be deported, excluded or denied naturalization”, then we can file a motion to vacate the conviction because of the illegality of the absent, incomplete or incorrect advisement.

An Equitable Resolution in California

In other instances, after the filing of an appropriate motion, we can simply renegotiate the plea agreement to obtain an immigration safe charge, conviction or sentence. This may be done by a variety of motions including Penal Code section 1203.3 to modify the terms of probation, Penal Code section 1018 (a motion to withdraw a plea) or by properly litigating the Penal Code section 1473.7 and 1016.5 motions.

You are best served by hiring and retaining an attorney that knows what they are doing and that has the experience and reputation to achieve the results you need. At Escovar Law, APC you have found the solution to your legal needs.

Whether you need representation in a criminal case or assistance in one of the post-conviction areas listed above, contact our criminal defense team for a free consultation at (626) 577-7700.

Successful Case Results

  • Motion Granted

    People v. R.S.R
    Courthouse: Orange County
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §273.5
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the plea was vacated pursuant to Penal Code §1016.5.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. J.P.A
    Courthouse: Van Nuys
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §273.5
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. S.S.
    Courthouse: San Fernando
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §245(a)(1)
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Motion Granted - Conviction Vacated

    People v. T.D.
    Courthouse: San Fernando
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §273.5
    Motion: Penal Code §106.5
    Results: The motion was granted, and the conviction was vacated pursuant to Penal Code §1016.5 and dismissed due to plea negotiation. The defendant plead nolo contendere to Penal Code §243(e)(1), added by interlineation.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. J.S.
    Courthouse: San Fernando
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11352
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. A.C.
    Courthouse: Riverside
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §490.5
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Motion Granted - Conviction Vacated

    People v. J.L.O
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11352
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5

  • Motion Granted - Conviction Vacated

    People v. D.G.
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11360(a)
    Motion: Prop 64 and Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: Prop 64 was granted, and the charge was redesignated to a misdemeanor. The Penal Code §1016.5 motion was granted on a later date and the conviction was vacated.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. E.M.
    Courthouse: Airport
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11550(b)
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. E.M. (2nd case)
    Courthouse: Airport
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11550(b)
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. E.M. (3rd Case)
    Courthouse: Airport
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11377(a)
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

  • Conviction Dismissed

    People v. M.Z
    Courthouse: Compton
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11351
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The court ordered the Complaint amended by interlineation to add Penal Code §32, a misdemeanor. The defendant plead guilty, and the conviction for Health and Safety 11351 was dismissed due to plea negotiation.

  • Motion Granted - Conviction Vacated

    People v. R.J
    Courthouse: Long Beach
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §484
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted, and the conviction was vacated.

  • Conviction Vacated

    People v. M.T.O
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11351
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The original conviction was vacated, and the client plead to Penal Code §32.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. J.M
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11351
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated, and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. P.E.A.
    Courthouse: Norwalk
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11377
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated, and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. J.B.
    Courthouse: Van Nuys
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11359
    Motion: Prop 64 and Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The conviction was redesignated as a misdemeanor per Prop 64 and the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1473.7. The case was dismissed per 1385

  • Conviction Vacated

    People v. J.L.G
    Courthouse: Inglewood
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11359
    Motion: Prop 64 and Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The conviction was redesignated as a misdemeanor per Prop 64 and the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1473.7.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. E.M
    Courthouse: Airport
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11377(a)
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated, and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

  • Motion Granted

    People v. R.M
    Courthouse: Pasadena
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11377(a)
    Motion: Penal Code 1016.5
    Results: Motion granted

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. M.S.
    Courthouse: Pasadena
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11351 and 11352(a)
    Motion: Penal Code 1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated pursuant to Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Motion Granted

    People v. R.A.G
    Courthouse: Metropolitan, Los Angeles County
    Crime Convicted of: Vehicle Code 23152
    Motion: Penal Code 1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted, the plea was vacated pursuant to Penal Code §1473.7.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. O.C.D
    Courthouse Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11360
    Motion: Prop 64 and Penal Code 1016.5
    Results: Prop 64 was granted, and the conviction was redesignated as a misdemeanor. The Penal Code §1016.5 motion was also granted; the charges were vacated and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. L.M
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11351.5
    Motion: 1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated pursuant to Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. M.E
    Courthouse: Orange County
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §273.6, Penal Code §242, Penal Code §243(e)(1) and Penal Code§240
    Motion: Penal Code 1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated pursuant to Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Motion Granted

    People v. M.D.E.
    Courthouse Santa Barbara
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code 647(f)
    Motion: Penal Code 1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the plea was vacated pursuant to Penal Code §1016.5.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. S.O.C
    Courthouse: East Los Angeles
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11350(a)
    Motion: Penal Code 17b and Penal Code 1016.5
    Results: The Charge was redesignated as a misdemeanor per Penal Code section 17(b) and the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5. The case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. R.G
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11550(b)
    Motion: Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1016.5 and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. J.M.
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11359
    Motion: Prop 64 and Penal Code §1016.5
    Results: Prop 64 was granted, and the conviction was redesignated as a misdemeanor. The Penal Code §1016.5 motion was also granted; the charges were vacated, and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. H.V.
    Courthouse: Torrance
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11359
    Motion: Prop 64, Penal Code §17(b) and Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The court grants the Penal Code §17(b) and the conviction proceeds as a misdemeanor. The court modifies the conviction by ordering the Complaint and Information amended to allege the conviction as a misdemeanor pursuant Prop 64. The court also grants the Penal Code §1473.7 motion and dismisses the entire case pursuant to Penal Code § 1382.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. J.L.O
    Courthouse: West Covina
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11350(a)
    Motion: Penal Code §17(b) and Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The conviction was reduced to a misdemeanor per Penal Code §17(b) motion, and the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1473.7. The case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. O.P.
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11351(a)
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated, and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Motion Granted

    People v. H.C.
    Courthouse: Airport
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code § 211
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted, the 365-day sentence was vacated in its entirety and a 364-day jail sentence was imposed. The sentence had been previously satisfied.

  • Conviction Vacated

    People v. R.A.G.
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §496
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The case was resolved, and the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1473.7

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. G.L.
    Courthouse: Van Nuys
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11350
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted, the conviction was vacated, and the case was dismissed per Penal Code §1385.

  • Charges Dismissed

    People v. J.A.
    Courthouse: Metropolitan, Los Angeles County
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §273.5(a)
    Motion: Penal Code § 1203.4 and Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The charges were dismissed pursuant to Penal Code §1385 during plea negotiation under Penal Code §1473.7 motion. The client plead nolo contendere to Penal Code §242, a misdemeanor.

  • Charges Reduced

    People v. R.B.
    Courthouse: Norwalk, originally out of Huntington Park Courthouse
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11350(1) and Health and safety 11377(a)
    Motion: Prop 47 and Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The charges were reduced to misdemeanors per Prop 47 and the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1473.7 motion.

  • Motion Granted

    People v. E.C.
    Courthouse: San Diego – South
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §459 and Penal Code §484
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The motion was granted and the conviction vacated.

  • Motion Granted

    People v. J.A.
    Courthouse: Airport
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11352(a)
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: During the Penal Code §1473.7 motion litigation, violation of Penal Code §32, a misdemeanor, was added by interlineation. The motion was granted, and the conviction was vacated and dismissed pursuant Penal Code §1385.

  • Conviction Dismissed

    People v. E.C.
    Courthouse: Downey
    Crime Convicted of: Penal Code §273.5(a)
    Motion: Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The conviction was dismissed due to plea negotiation. The defendant plead nolo contendere to Penal Code §243(e)(1), a misdemeanor.

  • Case Dismissed

    People v. R.P
    Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
    Crime Convicted of: Health and Safety 11360(a)
    Motion: Prop 64 and Penal Code §1473.7
    Results: The conviction was redesignated as a misdemeanor per Prop 64 and the conviction was vacated per Penal Code §1473.7. The case was dismissed per Penal Code §1382.

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“Steve Escovar is without a doubt the best lawyer and professional in the business. His professionalism and ability to persuade the courtroom to follow his leadership is amazing to watch. He won both difficult and almost impossible cases for my wife to vacate two prior convictions in a courtroom known for its strict conservative position. I would recommend Steve to anyone and any family member.”

- Anonymous
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