What is an expungement and will it clear up my criminal record?
A. Adult misdemeanor convictions can be expunged under Penal Code section 1203.4. This is not “cleaning” up your record exactly, Essentially what happens is that the court in its discretion and in the interests of justice sets aside the guilty verdict or guilty or no contest plea. This has the effect of dismissing the conviction. The expungement does not apply to all misdemeanors and does not relieve the petitioner from disclosing the conviction in response to any direct questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any government agency. After an expungement, the previous conviction would not need to be disclosed to a prospective private employer. Please see our “Appeals & Expungements” web page.
