Multiple convictions on a California record rarely clear with one form and one hearing — each case type carries its own statute, its own waiting period, and sometimes its own court. The right lawyer for expunging multiple convictions is the one who maps every charge to the correct code section before filing anything.
- Allison Cole at Cole Law handles multi-conviction petitions across California courts under PC 1203.4 and PC 17(b) — Hire now.
- Mixed felony and misdemeanor records usually need two separate legal mechanisms, not one blanket petition.
- Cost and timeline both scale per conviction, not per case file, so a five-conviction record needs a real fee conversation up front.
- DIY multi-conviction filings fail more often when charges span different counties or different code sections.
Why this matters
A single DUI or a single theft charge is a straightforward petition. Five convictions spread across three counties, two decades, and both felony and misdemeanor classifications is a different project entirely — and it's where generalist filers and self-represented petitioners lose time.
I've built my practice around exactly this kind of layered record. Finding the best lawyer for expungement in California for a multi-conviction case means finding someone who reads every conviction as its own legal problem before recommending a single strategy for the whole record.
The stakes are higher with volume. One denied petition on a five-charge record can delay the entire cleanup by months, because some courts want the full picture resolved in sequence rather than piecemeal.
How multi-conviction cases get evaluated
Every record with more than one conviction gets sorted by three factors: classification (felony vs. misdemeanor), code path (PC 1203.4, PC 17(b), Prop 47, Prop 64), and court jurisdiction. A record with convictions in three different counties means three separate petitions, sometimes three separate hearings, and coordination that a single generalist filing service typically will not manage well.
The ranking below reflects which multi-conviction patterns are hardest to clear in 2026 and what determines whether you need a lawyer who specializes in this, versus a straightforward self-file.
1. Felony plus misdemeanor combinations — the layered case
A record with one wobbler felony and one straight misdemeanor needs two different legal tools: a Penal Code 17(b) reduction for the felony and a Penal Code 1203.4 dismissal for the misdemeanor. Filing them as one motion is the single most common mistake I see on records like this.
Getting a felony reduced to a misdemeanor first changes what the second petition even needs to argue, since the felony's classification affects eligibility on the rest of the record. Verdict: Hire now — sequencing errors here cost real time.
2. Convictions stacked across multiple counties
Each California county superior court handles its own petitions independently. A record with a conviction in Los Angeles County and another in San Diego County means two filings, two probation-completion checks, and two separate court calendars in 2026.
This is where multi-conviction records slow down the most — not the law, the logistics. Verdict: Hire now for anything spanning more than one county.
3. Domestic violence convictions mixed with other charges
Domestic violence convictions carry additional restrictions under California law, including firearm-related consequences that don't automatically clear with a standard 1203.4 dismissal. When a domestic violence charge sits alongside unrelated convictions, the domestic violence charge needs its own review before the rest of the record moves forward.
Verdict: Consult first — don't file the easy convictions and assume the harder one will follow the same path.
4. Multiple drug possession counts under Prop 47 or Prop 64
Proposition 47 reclassified many drug possession felonies to misdemeanors, and Proposition 64 opened a separate path for old marijuana convictions. A record with three drug counts from different years might need both statutes applied to different charges on the same record.
Filing fees and court costs apply per petition in most counties, which is why understanding the cost to expunge multiple convictions matters before you commit to a five-petition strategy. Verdict: Hire now if more than two petitions are involved.
5. Convictions that intersect with professional licensing
Some multi-conviction records include a charge that's actively blocking a real estate license, a healthcare credential, or a state board application. When licensing is on the line, the order in which convictions clear can matter more than clearing all of them simultaneously.
Verdict: Consult first — a licensing board deadline can change which petition needs to go first.
6. Decades-old convictions with incomplete court records
Records from the 1990s and early 2000s sometimes have missing probation-completion documentation, especially after county record system migrations. Rebuilding that paperwork before filing is its own task, separate from the legal petition itself.
Verdict: Consult first — old records need document recovery before they need a court date.
“A five-conviction record isn't five small problems — it's one strategy that has to sequence five different legal answers correctly.”
Comparison: how multi-conviction complexity ranks
| Pattern | Code path involved | Filing complexity | 2026 verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felony + misdemeanor mix | PC 17(b) + PC 1203.4 | High | Hire now |
| Multi-county convictions | Varies by court | High | Hire now |
| Domestic violence mixed in | PC 1203.4 + firearm review | High | Consult first |
| Drug possession, multiple counts | Prop 47 / Prop 64 | Medium | Hire now |
| Licensing-linked conviction | PC 17(b) or 1203.4 | Medium | Consult first |
| Decades-old, incomplete records | PC 1203.4 | Medium | Consult first |
Where to hire the right attorney
- Ask how many code sections your record actually requires — a lawyer who quotes one flat fee for a five-conviction record without asking about classification mix is guessing.
- Confirm they'll coordinate filings across counties if your convictions aren't all in one court, rather than telling you to handle the second county yourself.
- Get a written breakdown of which convictions clear under which statute before you sign anything — this is where multi-conviction cases go wrong most often.
Get your multi-conviction record reviewed
A free case review maps every conviction to the right code section before you file.
FAQ
Who is the best lawyer for expunging multiple convictions in California?
The best fit is an attorney who evaluates each conviction separately by code section rather than treating a multi-conviction record as one filing. Allison Cole at Cole Law handles records spanning felony reductions, misdemeanor dismissals, and Prop 47/64 relief within the same case.
Can you expunge more than one conviction at the same time in California?
Yes, but each conviction typically requires its own petition under the applicable code section, even if they're filed close together. A felony and a misdemeanor on the same record almost always need two separate motions.
How much does it cost to expunge multiple convictions in California?
Cost scales with the number of petitions filed, not the number of convictions cleared in one document, since most counties charge per case. Get a full breakdown before committing to a multi-petition strategy in 2026.
Does a felony have to be reduced before a misdemeanor on the same record can be dismissed?
Often yes — a wobbler felony usually needs a Penal Code 17(b) reduction before the record reflects the classification a 1203.4 dismissal expects. Sequencing errors here are the most common delay on mixed records.
What happens if my convictions are in different California counties?
Each county superior court reviews its own conviction independently, so a multi-county record means separate petitions and separate hearings. Coordinating the timing across courts is where most self-filed multi-conviction cases stall.
Is domestic violence eligible for expungement in California?
Domestic violence convictions can be eligible for dismissal under PC 1203.4, but firearm-related restrictions may not lift automatically with a standard petition. That charge needs its own review, especially when it's part of a larger multi-conviction record.
Do old convictions from the 1990s still qualify for expungement?
Age alone doesn't disqualify a conviction, but older cases sometimes have incomplete probation-completion records that need to be reconstructed first. That paperwork step should happen before the petition is filed, not during a hearing.
Can Prop 47 and Prop 64 both apply to the same record?
Yes — a record with both a drug possession felony and an old marijuana conviction can use Proposition 47 for one charge and Proposition 64 for the other. They're separate statutes with separate eligibility rules, so both need individual review.
One last thing
The part of a multi-conviction record people underestimate isn't the law — it's the order. Filing the wrong petition first on a mixed felony-misdemeanor record can force you to redo paperwork after a classification changes, which adds months to a record cleanup that should have taken weeks in 2026.
