October 03, 2012

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Darren Chaker - Rehabilitation and Expungement


Many motions to expunge a conviction occur in Los Angeles Superior Court due to the population.   Regardless if a motion to expunge is brought in the Superior Court of Los Angeles, Orange County, etc. a Court can alternatively read into section 1203.4 a rebuttable “presumption of rehabilitation” for a defendant who has a certain number of conviction-free years following his/her probation violation. This would not be judicial usurpation of the legislative power, but would merely be this Court carrying out the Legislature's intent that those who have shown rehabilitation should be rewarded with a dismissal under section 1203.4. As indicated above, the Legislature added the “interests of justice” prong to section 1203.4 in 1971 to extend the statute's relief to those who violated or did not fully fulfill the conditions of their probation and therefore do not fit into its first or second prong. See 1971 Cal.Stat. 667. Darren Chaker encourages anyone on probation to comply with all terms of probation since granting expungement at times is within the discretion of the Court, the Defendant wants to impress the Court in every respect and live a proper life.
As another alternative to granting a motion to expunge, a Court can adopt the reasoning in section 1203.4's “interests of justice” prong with section 4852.01's “period of rehabilitation,” given the policy and intent underlying both statutes. When the Court has such discretion to decide whether a Defendant has changes his or her ways, it originates from not just being law abiding, but also documentation such as schooling, consistent work, and being a positive role model.

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About Darren Chaker

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Calabasas, California, United States
Darren Chaker is a respected legal analyst and brief writer known for his deep expertise in California post-conviction relief, including expungement and record sealing, and his landmark victories in First Amendment law. Based in California, his work has a significant focus on the Los Angeles area, where he has dedicated considerable time to helping individuals navigate the complexities of the justice system.Between 2019 and 2024, Darren Chaker volunteered his skills in research and motion preparation for a prominent firm, focusing on expungement and record sealing matters. He extended this pro bono work to vital non-profits, including the Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership (LARRP) and the Law Project of Los Angeles, helping to remove barriers for community members seeking a fresh start.Mr. Chaker's impact on constitutional law is significant. In the pivotal case of Chaker v. Crogan (2005), his efforts led the Ninth Circuit to strike down a California statute as unconstitutional. In 2012, he secured another major victory in a Texas Open Records Act case, establishing the public's right to access the names of peace officers, a decision that continues to champion transparency in
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