California Expungement & Record Sealing
Clear your record. Start fresh. Take back your future.
A criminal record follows you everywhere — job applications, housing, loans, professional licenses. California law provides paths to clear or seal your record, giving you a genuine second chance. Expungement under PC 1203.4 can dismiss your conviction, while other remedies can seal arrest records entirely. Let us help you move forward.
Do not speak to police.
Anything you say can be used against you. Call us first. We'll handle all communication with law enforcement.
What You're Facing Under California Law
| Offense | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|
| PC 1203.4 Expungement | Dismisses conviction after probation completion |
| PC 17(b) Felony Reduction | Reduces felony to misdemeanor before expungement |
| PC 1203.41 (Prison Cases) | Relief for those who served state prison time |
| Certificate of Rehabilitation | Restores rights, helps with licensing boards |
| Governor's Pardon | Full restoration of rights, highest level relief |
| PC 851.91 Arrest Record Sealing | Seals arrest records when no conviction |
| Prop 47 Resentencing | Reduces eligible felonies to misdemeanors |
Penalties vary based on circumstances. Early legal intervention can significantly reduce or eliminate charges.
Long-Term Consequences
A conviction doesn't just mean jail time. It can affect every aspect of your life:
- Remove 'convicted' status from your record
- Legally answer 'no' to conviction questions on most job applications
- Improve chances for professional licensing
- Better housing application outcomes
- Restore gun rights in some cases (misdemeanors only)
- Positive impact on immigration proceedings
- Psychological benefit of a fresh start
- Record no longer appears on most background checks
How We Defend Your Case
We examine every detail to build the strongest possible defense:
- Determine eligibility for PC 1203.4 expungement
- Reduce felonies to misdemeanors under PC 17(b) first
- Petition for early termination of probation if needed
- Prepare comprehensive petition with supporting documents
- Present rehabilitation evidence to the court
- Handle DA objections and court hearings
- Pursue Certificate of Rehabilitation for serious cases
- Appeal denied petitions when grounds exist
California Expungement: What It Actually Does — and Doesn't Do
California's expungement statute (PC 1203.4) is one of the most misunderstood areas of criminal law. An expungement does not erase your record — it changes your conviction status from "convicted" to "dismissed under PC 1203.4." This distinction matters enormously in practice. Most private employers conducting standard background checks will not see the conviction. However, government employers, law enforcement agencies, and certain professional licensing boards retain access to the underlying record regardless of expungement.
Understanding these nuances — and knowing exactly what your specific expungement will and will not accomplish for your specific situation — is the difference between a successful fresh start and a costly disappointment. Randal Shrout counsels every expungement client on the employment, housing, professional licensing, and immigration impact before filing a single document.
For convictions that cannot be fully expunged, California provides additional tools: Certificates of Rehabilitation under PC 4852.01 can restore certain rights and carry significant weight with professional licensing boards. Governor's Pardons provide the highest level of relief available and can restore firearms rights. Proposition 47 resentencing allows eligible prior felony convictions to be reclassified as misdemeanors retroactively — creating a faster path to expungement for thousands of Californians.
The timing strategy matters. Under PC 1203.3, we can petition for early termination of probation — a prerequisite for expungement if you're still serving probation. Filing that motion correctly and presenting your rehabilitation narrative persuasively to the court is the difference between a granted petition and a continued probation order.
How We Build Your Defense
Eligibility Assessment
We review your complete criminal history to identify every conviction eligible for expungement, PC 17(b) reduction, or Prop 47 resentencing.
Probation Termination
If you're still on probation, we file a PC 1203.3 motion for early termination — handling this prerequisite as part of your full case.
Petition Preparation
We prepare the complete petition package including all court documents, your rehabilitation narrative, and supporting evidence.
Hearing & Follow-Through
We appear at the hearing, handle DA objections, and follow through until your PC 1203.4 dismissal order is entered into the court record.
Serving All California Courts
Expungement petitions are filed in the county of original conviction. Sacramento County expungements are processed at the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse. Los Angeles County handles the highest volume of expungement petitions in California. Orange County, San Diego, and Riverside County each have distinct clerk procedures and hearing calendars. Shrout Law files expungement petitions in all 58 California counties and knows the local logistics for each.
Time Matters. Every Hour Counts.
The sooner we start building your defense, the more options we have. Evidence can disappear. Witnesses forget. Act now.
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