Benefit of Expungement

6 Benefits of Expungements

Job Applications

Almost every employer does a background check before hiring a job applicant.  A background check can reveal a person’s records of arrests, convictions and probation status. Most employers will also require you to fill out an application where they ask if you have ever been convicted of a crime.  The most valuable benefit of expunging your California criminal record is that it will help you in applying for a job because a person who has had a conviction expunged can lawfully answer “no” if asked if they have ever been convicted of a crime. 

Penal Code 1203.4

By law, a private employer many not ask a job applicant about any misdemeanor conviction dismissed under 1203.4 (2 Cal. Code. Regs 7287.4(d)).  California says that it unlawful for an employer or other covered entity to inquire or seek information regarding any applicant concerning:

• Any arrest or detention which did not result in conviction;
• Any conviction for which the record has been judicially ordered sealed, expunged, or statutorily eradicated (e.g. juvenile offense records sealed pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 389 and Penal Code Sections 851.7 or 1203.45); and misdemeanor convictions for which probation has been successfully completed or otherwise discharged and the case has been judicially dismissed pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4; or
• Any arrest for which a pretrial diversion has been successfully completed pursuant to penal Code Sections 1000.5 and 1001.5…”

State License Applications 

A Penal Code 1203.4 expungement can benefit a person applying for a state professional license.  Although you must disclose an expunged conviction when applying for a state license, it always looks better if you have had your criminal record expunged.  It means you have been vetted by the district attorney and judge who have decided to withdraw your plea and dismiss the case.  An expungement means something to a licensing board.  Many licensing agencies are more likely to grant a state license to people whose convictions have been expunged. And many will look upon the situation more favorably if the person has successfully completed probation and the expungement process.

Housing

Almost every landlord does a background check before renting to a prospective tenant.   A background check can reveal a person’s records of arrests, convictions and probation status. Most landlords will also require you to fill out an application where they ask if you have ever been convicted of a crime.  An expunged conviction should not show up on a database background check because once the case is dismissed the data base background check companies are supposed to update their records to show no convictions. 

Professional Associations

Many professional organizations do background checks before inviting someone to join or to hold a position in the organization.  A PC 1203.4 expungement will minimize the impact of any prior criminal conduct since the case will show up as a dismissal.  An expunged conviction should not show up on a database background check because once the case is dismissed the data base background check companies are supposed to update their records to show no convictions. 

Witness Credibility in Court

If you have had your California conviction expunged, it can’t be used to impeach your credibility as a witness in court.  If you have a felony on your record, and you are serving as a witness in court in California, the opposing side may bring up your felony conviction as a way to question your credibility. But they are not permitted to do so if you expunged the felony conviction.

Personal Satisfaction

Often times people make a single mistake in their life and live the rest of their lives crime free.   For many people, an expungement gives them the peace of mind that their prior conviction has been dismissed.  Although it doesn’t mean the crime didn’t happen, it does bring a sense of redemption and closure to usually a difficult chapter in a person’s life. 

Penal Code 1203.4 – Criminal Conviction Dismissal

(a) (1) In any case in which a defendant has fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire period of probation, or has been discharged prior to the termination of the period of probation, or in any other case in which a court, in its discretion and the interests of justice, determines that a defendant should be granted the relief available under this section, the defendant shall, at any time after the termination of the period of probation, if he or she is not then serving a sentence for any offense, on probation for any offense, or charged with the commission of any offense, be permitted by the court to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty; or, if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty; and, in either case, the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusations or information against the defendant and except as noted below, he or she shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided in Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code. The probationer shall be informed, in his or her probation papers, of this right and privilege and his or her right, if any, to petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon. The probationer may make the application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by the probation officer authorized in writing. However, in any subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if probation had not been granted or the accusation or information dismissed. The order shall state, and the probationer shall be informed, that the order does not relieve him or her of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery Commission.

(2) Dismissal of an accusation or information pursuant to this section does not permit a person to own, possess, or have in his or her custody or control any firearm or prevent his or her conviction under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6.

(3) Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not permit a person prohibited from holding public office as a result of that conviction to hold public office.

(4) This subdivision shall apply to all applications for relief under this section which are filed on or after November 23, 1970.

(b) Subdivision (a) of this section does not apply to any misdemeanor that is within the provisions of Section 42002.1 of the Vehicle Code, to any violation of subdivision (c) of Section 286, Section 288, subdivision (c) of Section 288a, Section 288.5, subdivision (j) of Section 289, Section 311.1, 311.2, 311.3, or 311.11, or any felony conviction pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 261.5, or to any infraction.

(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), subdivision (a) does not apply to a person who receives a notice to appear or is otherwise charged with a violation of an offense described in subdivisions (a) to (e), inclusive, of Section 12810 of the Vehicle Code.

(2) If a defendant who was convicted of a violation listed in paragraph (1) petitions the court, the court in its discretion and in the interests of justice, may order the relief provided pursuant to subdivision (a) to that defendant.

(d) A person who petitions for a change of plea or setting aside of a verdict under this section may be required to reimburse the court for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the court not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse the county for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the county board of supervisors not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150), and to reimburse any city for the actual costs of services rendered, whether or not the petition is granted and the records are sealed or expunged, at a rate to be determined by the city council not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150). Ability to make this reimbursement shall be determined by the court using the standards set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 987.8 and shall not be a prerequisite to a person’s eligibility under this section. The court may order reimbursement in any case in which the petitioner appears to have the ability to pay, without undue hardship, all or any portion of the costs for services established pursuant to this subdivision.

(e) (1) Relief shall not be granted under this section unless the prosecuting attorney has been given 15 days’ notice of the petition for relief. The probation officer shall notify the prosecuting attorney when a petition is filed, pursuant to this section.

(2) It shall be presumed that the prosecuting attorney has received notice if proof of service is filed with the court.

(f) If, after receiving notice pursuant to subdivision (e), the prosecuting attorney fails to appear and object to a petition for dismissal, the prosecuting attorney may not move to set aside or otherwise appeal the grant of that petition.

(g) Notwithstanding the above provisions or any other provision of law, the Governor shall have the right to pardon a person convicted of a violation of subdivision (c) of Section 286, Section 288, subdivision (c) of Section 288a, Section 288.5, or subdivision (j) of Section 289, if there are extraordinary circumstances.