California Record Expungement and Sealing

California allows you to seal records of arrests that did not lead to a conviction when you can prove that there was no reasonable basis to believe you committed the offense. Once sealed, the arrest is treated as never having happened.

California allows you to dismiss (expunge) most misdemeanor and felony convictions that did not result in a prison sentence.

If you expunge your record in California

The offense is no longer considered a conviction on your record; it is considered a dismissed case. You only need to disclose the conviction when (1) apply for public office, (2) contracting with the CA State Lottery Commission and (3) applying for a state professional license.

Certain Felony Convictions Can Be Redued To a Misdemeanor California

If your offense is considered a "wobbler," meaning the statute says it can be prosecuted either by a prison or jail sentence and the judge did not send you to prison, the chances are you can have the felony reduced to a misdemeanor. Once reduced, all rights lost by operation of law due to the felony conviction are restored.

See our list of recommended expungement attorneys.