California Felony Conviction

[arachnaphobic]

My question involves expungements or pardons for the state of: California.
When i was 18 a friend of mine decided to rob someone with a bb gun right in front of me. Subsequently we both went to jail and I pled guilty to a felony. My attorney at the time was a family friend who knew it wasn"t me who comitted the crime, but because i didnt stop it, i was considered just as guilty. He told me not to worry and that after i did my jail time i could show my character by completing probation, paying my fines, and because it was my first offense i would be able to discharge probation early and have my charges reduced to misdemeanors. When i paid my fines and finished my probation (a full 3 years). I went to the courthouse to find out how to have my felony reduced to a misdemeanor. Apparently a robbery cannot be reduced. What options do i have to have my charges reduced to misdemeanors? Can i file a writ of error coram nobis, citing the fact that i would have never entered into the plea had i known they would never be reducible?? since my release i have continued to live a straight life, crime free and i am currently in college. My former friend had been arrested for posession of a firearm, and discharging a firearm in public.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Clearly you stood in open court and confessed, under oath, to facts constituting armed robbery. To the extent that you didn't "commit" the crime, in that you weren't the one holding the weapon, it very much appears you were an active partner in the crime. That's what you told the judge when you pleaded guilty, right?

Is there a plausible case that you weren't, in fact, guilty? Particularly in light of your confession under oath?