Eric H. HintzLaw Offices (916) 465-6500 Call (916) 465-6500

Expungement eligibility checker

Answer a few questions to see whether a California conviction may be eligible for dismissal.

Five questions

1. Was the conviction in a California state court?
2. What was the sentence?
3. Have you finished the probation or sentence?
4. Are you currently charged with a crime, on probation, or serving a sentence for any offense?
5. Was the conviction for a sex offense involving a minor, such as Penal Code § 288?

Answer the questions to see a result.

A general screening only. Eligibility turns on the exact conviction, the sentence and the court record.

What an expungement does

In California, an “expungement” usually means a dismissal under Penal Code § 1203.4. The court sets aside the guilty plea or verdict and dismisses the case. For most private job applications you can then say you have not been convicted of that offense, and the record shows the dismissal.

It does not erase everything. A dismissed conviction still must be disclosed on applications for state licenses and public office, can still count as a prior if you are charged again (including DUI priors within 10 years), does not restore firearm rights after a felony, and does not end sex offender registration.

Which law applies

Main California dismissal laws
SituationLawTypical timing
Granted probationPenal Code § 1203.4After completing probation, or after early termination
Misdemeanor or infraction, no probationPenal Code § 1203.4aTypically one year after judgment, if you have stayed out of trouble
Felony served in county jailPenal Code § 1203.41After a waiting period once the sentence is complete
State prisonNewer laws and a certificate of rehabilitation (Penal Code § 4852.01)Depends on the offense; talk to Eric

Other ways to clean up a record

  • Reducing a wobbler. Many felonies can be reduced to misdemeanors under Penal Code § 17(b), often at the same time as a dismissal.
  • Proposition 47. Certain drug possession and theft convictions under $950 can be reclassified as misdemeanors under Penal Code § 1170.18.
  • Early termination of probation. If you are still on probation, the court can end it early under Penal Code § 1203.3, which can open the door to a dismissal sooner.
  • Automatic relief. Newer laws provide automatic record relief in some cases, but it is not always complete, and a petition can still be worthwhile.

How Eric helps

Eric reviews the court record, confirms which law applies, prepares the petition and, where it helps, asks for a felony reduction at the same time. See expungement and record clearing for more detail.

Law cited: Penal Code §§ 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41. Last reviewed October 2026.

General information, not legal advice. Every case is different.

Call (916) 465-6500Text (916) 802-5979