A past criminal conviction should not create a permanent barrier to employment, professional licensing, or housing. California Penal Code § 1203.4 allows eligible individuals who completed probation to withdraw their plea and have the conviction dismissed.
1. Post-Conviction Relief Pathways in California
- PC § 1203.4 Expungement: Sets aside guilty plea, dismisses complaint, and releases defendant from penalties resulting from offense.
- PC § 851.87 / 851.91 Arrest Sealing: Seals arrest records as a matter of right when no charges were filed or defendant was acquitted.
- Senate Bill 731 Automatic Sealing: Automatically seals state criminal records for eligible qualifying convictions after completion of sentence.