If you're trying to expunge a money laundering conviction in California, the first thing to understand is that two different statutes are doing the work: Penal Code 186.10 defines the money laundering offense itself, and Penal Code 1203.4 is the expungement statute that clears it from your record once probation is done. This guide ranks the realistic paths to record relief in 2026 — from hiring a specialized attorney to filing the petition yourself — and flags where a state conviction and a federal one require completely different strategies.
- Cole Law handles PC 1203.4 petitions for California money laundering convictions filed under PC 186.10 — best overall pick.
- Federal money laundering convictions under 18 U.S.C. 1956 or 1957 cannot be expunged through a California state court petition.
- Self-filing works only for a single-count, uncontested conviction with probation already completed.
- Clients no longer living in California need an attorney who can appear without requiring an in-person court visit.
Why this matters
Money laundering under PC 186.10 is a wobbler — prosecutors can file it as a felony or a misdemeanor, and that charging decision affects whether you're even eligible for PC 1203.4 relief later. A felony money laundering conviction that never went to state prison is generally eligible for expungement once probation ends; a case where you served time in state prison is not, and you'd need a different form of relief such as a certificate of rehabilitation.
The distinction most people miss: PC 1203.4 only reaches convictions handled in California state court. If your case was prosecuted federally — a common outcome for money laundering tied to wire fraud, drug proceeds, or interstate banking activity — no state expungement petition will touch it, no matter which attorney you hire.
What makes the best option for this type of case
- Direct experience with financial-crime records, not just DUIs or drug charges — money laundering petitions involve restitution records, forfeiture orders, and probation terms that general practitioners often miss.
- Correct jurisdiction diagnosis — knowing immediately whether your case is a state PC 186.10 matter or a federal 18 U.S.C. 1956/1957 matter, since the relief options don't overlap.
- Clean handling of Form CR-180 and the probation-completion verification that goes with it.
- Clear timeline communication — money laundering petitions often take longer than a simple misdemeanor because prosecutors review restitution status before agreeing to relief.
- Disclosure guidance for licensing — many financial, insurance, and real estate licenses still require disclosure of an expunged conviction, and the right attorney tells you this upfront instead of letting it surprise you later.
At a glance
| Option | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Law | State PC 186.10 convictions | Direct attorney handling of PC 1203.4 filings | Doesn't reach federal convictions |
| Federal record relief attorney | Federal money laundering cases | Knows the limited federal relief mechanisms | No true "expungement" exists at the federal level |
| Multiple-conviction attorney | Money laundering paired with fraud or embezzlement counts | Coordinates petitions across related counts | More complex, slower timeline |
| Self-filing (DIY) | Simple, uncontested single-count cases | No attorney fee | No one catches eligibility mistakes before filing |
| Out-of-state record relief specialist | Clients who moved out of California | Can often appear without requiring your presence | Fewer attorneys offer this remotely |
1. Cole Law: best overall for California money laundering expungement
Cole Law is a solo California criminal defense practice led by attorney Allison Cole, focused on expungements, record sealings, and felony-to-misdemeanor reductions. For a PC 186.10 money laundering conviction, the work centers on confirming probation completion, filing the PC 1203.4 petition, and addressing any outstanding restitution before the court will grant relief.
Cole Law pros:
- Direct attorney contact throughout the petition, not a paralegal-run intake process
- Experience distinguishing wobbler felony money laundering cases from straightforward misdemeanor ones
- Handles the licensing-disclosure conversation before it becomes a problem
Cole Law cons:
- Solo practice model means capacity is finite during high-volume periods
- Federal money laundering convictions fall outside what state expungement can accomplish
Best for: anyone with a California state money laundering conviction who wants a single point of contact managing the petition. Verdict: Hire.
2. Federal record relief attorney: best for federal money laundering convictions
If your money laundering conviction was prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. Section 1956 or 1957, PC 1203.4 simply does not apply — that statute only reaches California state convictions. Relief options at the federal level are narrower: a presidential pardon, a motion under limited federal expungement case law, or record-sealing arguments specific to the circuit where you were convicted.
Federal record relief pros:
- Attorneys in this lane understand the narrow federal mechanisms that actually exist
- Can advise honestly on when no meaningful relief is available
Federal record relief cons:
- Options are far more limited than state expungement
- Timelines can run into years rather than months
Best for: anyone whose conviction shows a federal case number rather than a county superior court case number. See how to expunge a federal criminal conviction for the mechanics. Verdict: Consult before assuming state relief applies.
3. Multiple-conviction attorney: best for money laundering paired with fraud or embezzlement
Money laundering convictions rarely stand alone — they're frequently charged alongside fraud, embezzlement, or check fraud counts tied to the same scheme. An attorney who coordinates petitions across every count on your record avoids the situation where one conviction gets expunged and a related one is left untouched.
Multiple-conviction pros:
- One filing strategy across every related count instead of piecemeal petitions
- Better visibility into how each count affects licensing disclosures
Multiple-conviction cons:
- Takes longer than a single-count petition
- Court review is more involved when restitution spans multiple charges
Best for: clients whose record shows money laundering plus one or more related financial charges from the same case. Details are covered at expunging multiple convictions in California. Verdict: Hire an attorney who reviews the full record, not just the one count.
4. Self-filing (DIY): best budget option for simple, uncontested cases
If your money laundering conviction is a single count, probation is fully completed, restitution is paid in full, and the district attorney's office isn't likely to object, filing the PC 1203.4 petition yourself is possible. California courts do accept self-represented petitions.
Self-filing pros:
- No attorney fee
- Workable for genuinely straightforward, undisputed cases
Self-filing cons:
- No one checks eligibility before you file, and a rejected petition can create delay
- Financial crime cases often carry restitution or forfeiture wrinkles a non-lawyer can miss
Best for: a single, uncomplicated conviction with no outstanding restitution. Steps are laid out at how to expunge a criminal record without hiring a lawyer. Verdict: Wait until you've confirmed restitution is fully satisfied before filing alone.
5. Out-of-state record relief specialist: best for clients who left California
A California conviction follows you on background checks no matter where you live now. Some attorneys structure their practice to handle California PC 1203.4 petitions for clients based in other states, appearing in court on their behalf so an in-person trip isn't required.
Out-of-state specialist pros:
- No need to fly back to California for most of the process
- Still files under the same PC 1203.4 framework as an in-state petition
Out-of-state specialist cons:
- Fewer attorneys actively offer this remote-friendly structure
- Document gathering (Live Scan, court records) still takes coordination across state lines
Best for: former California residents with a money laundering conviction who now live elsewhere. See record relief for out-of-state clients. Verdict: Hire, but confirm remote handling upfront.
How this list was ranked
Each option was measured against the five criteria above: financial-crime experience, jurisdiction accuracy, filing precision, timeline honesty, and licensing-disclosure guidance. Cole Law ranks first because it satisfies all five for state-level PC 186.10 cases; the other four options each solve a specific gap — federal jurisdiction, multiple counts, cost, and geography — that a single attorney can't always cover.
Which option should you choose?
If your money laundering conviction is a California state case under PC 186.10 and probation is finished, the strongest move in 2026 is hiring an attorney who works PC 1203.4 petitions directly, which is where Cole Law fits. If your case carries a federal docket number, get a jurisdiction check before filing anything — a state petition won't touch it. If you're weighing the DIY route, do it only after confirming restitution is paid in full.
Get your PC 1203.4 eligibility checked
A quick review confirms whether your money laundering conviction qualifies for expungement in 2026.
“A federal money laundering conviction under 18 U.S.C. Section 1956 cannot be expunged through a California state court petition.”
FAQ
Can you expunge a money laundering conviction in California?
Yes, if the conviction was filed under Penal Code 186.10 in a California state court and probation has been completed. Petitions are filed under Penal Code 1203.4, and cases that included state prison time are generally not eligible.
Is money laundering eligible for expungement under Penal Code 1203.4?
State-level money laundering convictions under PC 186.10 are typically eligible once probation is successfully finished. Restitution status is reviewed by the court before relief is granted.
Can a federal money laundering conviction be expunged?
No. Federal convictions under 18 U.S.C. 1956 or 1957 fall outside California's PC 1203.4 process entirely. Relief options at the federal level are limited and separate from state expungement law.
How long does it take to expunge a money laundering conviction in California?
Timelines vary by county and whether restitution or multiple counts are involved, and cases tied to financial crimes tend to take longer than a straightforward misdemeanor petition. A single-count, fully-paid case moves faster than a multi-count one.
Does expunging a money laundering conviction restore financial licenses automatically?
No. Many financial, insurance, and real estate licensing applications still require disclosure of a conviction even after expungement. Expungement changes how the record appears on most background checks, not licensing disclosure obligations.
What's the difference between expungement and a certificate of rehabilitation for money laundering?
Expungement under PC 1203.4 applies after probation without prison time; a certificate of rehabilitation is a separate, more involved process typically considered when prison time makes standard expungement unavailable.
Can I expunge a money laundering conviction without a lawyer?
Yes, for simple, uncontested, single-count cases with restitution fully paid. Financial crime cases carry enough procedural detail that many people choose to have an attorney review eligibility first.
Is a money laundering conviction a felony or misdemeanor in California?
Penal Code 186.10 is a wobbler, meaning prosecutors can charge it as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The charging decision directly affects which expungement path applies later.
One last thing
Expungement under PC 1203.4 clears the conviction from most public-facing background checks, but it does not erase the disclosure requirement on applications that specifically ask about convictions "regardless of expungement" — a phrase common on financial-services and banking-license applications in 2026. Anyone clearing a money laundering conviction with an eye toward a financial-industry job should confirm that language before assuming the record is fully behind them.
