California Expungement Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s exactly how to clear your California criminal record through expungement (PC 1203.4), from start to finish.

Step 1: Get Your Criminal Record

Before you can petition for expungement, you need to know exactly what’s on your record.

How to get your record: – Live Scan fingerprinting — Submit a Request for Live Scan Service form at a Live Scan location. Results are mailed to you. – Court records — Visit or contact the courthouse where you were convicted and request your case file – Online — Some counties offer online case lookup (LA County: lacourt.org)

What you need from your record: – Case number – Conviction date – Charges and disposition – Sentence (probation length, fines, jail time) – Probation completion date

Step 2: Verify Your Eligibility

Confirm that you meet all requirements: – Completed probation (or probation period has elapsed) – Not currently on probation or serving a sentence – Not currently charged with a crime – Did not serve time in state prison for this offense – Conviction is not for a PC 290 sex offense

Step 3: Prepare the Petition

File the appropriate forms:

For misdemeanor expungement: – CR-180 (Petition for Dismissal) – Declaration explaining your rehabilitation – Proof of probation completion

For felony reduction + expungement: – CR-180 AND a PC 17(b) motion to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor – Supporting declaration

For early probation termination (if still on probation): – Motion under PC 1203.3 first – Then the CR-180 petition

Step 4: File the Petition

File at the courthouse where your conviction occurred — not where you currently live (unless it’s the same court).

In LA County, criminal petitions are filed at: – Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (downtown LA) – The specific courthouse that handled your original case

Filing fee: $120–$150 (fee waiver available)

Step 5: Serve the District Attorney

After filing, you must serve a copy of your petition on the District Attorney’s office in the county of conviction. They have 15 days to respond.

The DA may: – Not oppose (most common for simple misdemeanors with clean records) – Oppose (more likely for serious offenses or if you have subsequent arrests)

Step 6: The Hearing

Some courts grant expungement without a hearing (especially unopposed misdemeanor petitions). If a hearing is set: – Dress professionally – Bring evidence of rehabilitation (employment, education, community service, letters of support) – Be prepared to explain how you’ve changed since the conviction – The judge has discretion — persuasion matters

Step 7: After Expungement

Once granted: – Your guilty plea is withdrawn and the case is dismissed – On most job applications, you can legally answer “no” to “Have you been convicted of a crime?” – The conviction still shows on your record but is marked “dismissed per PC 1203.4” – Background checks may still show the original conviction with the dismissal notation

What Expungement Does NOT Do

• Does not seal or destroy your record (it’s still visible but shows as dismissed)
• Does not restore gun rights (separate process — see our gun rights restoration guide)
• Does not remove sex offender registration requirements
• Does not affect a CDL holder’s driving record

How Long Does It Take?

How Superior Court Docs Can Help

Superior Court Docs prepares your complete expungement petition — the CR-180, supporting declarations, and all required forms — starting at $499.

📞 (213) 973-7248 or get started.

Related: Complete Expungement Guide | Eligibility | Cost Guide