10/23/2026
Can you clear a criminal record in California?
Yes, absolutely! There are several legal avenues available today for individuals looking to clean up their record:
𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (PC 17(b)): If you were convicted of a "wobbler" felony, California Penal Code 17(b) allows the court to reduce the felony charge down to a misdemeanor.
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Once a charge is a misdemeanor, you can petition the court to expunge the case from your record. This keeps past convictions from showing up on standard background checks for employment and housing.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Additionally, the California Department of Justice has expanded efforts to seal eligible expunged records, providing an even stronger layer of privacy and protection.
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– WJD