Having a criminal record can have a profound, long-lasting impact on your life. It can hinder your employment prospects, limit your housing options, and heavily restrict your ability to obtain certain professional licenses or certifications. Fortunately, California law provides a clear path to alleviate these burdens through a legal process known as expungement.
Governed by California Penal Code Section 1203.4, an expungement allows eligible individuals to petition the court to withdraw their original plea and officially dismiss the case in the interest of justice. At The Law Offices of Kirk Tarman & Associates, we have over 25 years of experience helping individuals clear their names and secure the true second chance they deserve.
Secure Better Employment Prospects
First and foremost, an expungement allows you to put past mistakes behind you when seeking a job. Under California Labor Code Section 432.7, private employers are explicitly prohibited from asking about, looking into, or utilizing a conviction that has been judicially dismissed via expungement.
Once your PC 1203.4 petition is granted, you can truthfully and legally state on most private job applications that you have never been convicted of that crime. This eliminates the fear of failing a standard corporate background check, helping you regain financial stability and career mobility.
Unlock Premium Housing Opportunities
Landlords and property management companies throughout Southern California routinely conduct criminal background checks on prospective tenants. A past conviction often results in automatic rejection or forces you into less-than-ideal living situations.
With an expunged and dismissed record, you can confidently apply for housing. Because standard tenant background checks will reflect that the case was dismissed by a judge, you can present yourself cleanly as a responsible, law-abiding applicant without the constant barrier of a past mistake.
Obtain Professional State Licenses
Many rewarding career paths—including healthcare, real estate, law enforcement, contracting, and teaching—require state-level licensing or certification. A criminal record can trigger immediate denials from state boards based on "moral character" reviews.
While state licensing boards can still view an expunged record, presenting an official court-ordered dismissal under PC 1203.4 provides vital legal proof of your rehabilitation. State boards look favorably upon judicial dismissals, significantly increasing your chances of securing your professional credentials.
The 2026 Landscape: Expungement vs. Automatic Sealing (SB 731)
With the full implementation of California's Clean Slate Act (SB 731), the state has introduced automatic record sealing for certain non-violent misdemeanors and felonies after a specific period of conviction-free years. However, relying solely on the state's automatic system is often a mistake:
System Backlogs: The state Department of Justice databases are facing severe delays. Your record may remain unsealed on background checks long after you become eligible.
No Official Proof: Automatic sealing happens quietly in a database. It does not provide you with an official, physical court decree to prove your record is clear.
Serious Violations Omitted: Serious, violent, or specific sexual offenses are completely excluded from automatic sealing and require aggressive, petition-based court advocacy.
By actively filing a formal petition under PC 1203.4 with an attorney, you take control of the timeline, bypass administrative backlogs, and secure an explicit court order signed by a judge.
Crucial Limitations: What an Expungement Does Not Do
While highly beneficial, a California expungement is a dismissal rather than a total physical erasure of the record. It is important to understand its boundaries:
Firearm Rights: A standard PC 1203.4 expungement does not restore Second Amendment firearm rights if you have a felony conviction. To restore firearm rights, the underlying charge must typically be reduced to a misdemeanor under PC 17(b) (if it was a wobbler), or you must secure a formal Governor’s Pardon.
Priorability: An expunged conviction can still be used as a "prior" to enhance sentencing if you face subsequent criminal prosecutions in the future.
Government/Immigration Access: Law enforcement, federal courts, and immigration authorities (USCIS) can still view and evaluate the original offense during background checks or immigration proceedings.
Consult an Experienced Southern California Expungement Attorney
Successfully clearing your record requires navigating meticulous county court rules, gathering precise case details, and filing formal petitions (Form CR-180) without mistakes. If the District Attorney objects to your relief, a formal court hearing may be scheduled where your rehabilitation must be legally argued before a judge.
The Law Offices of Kirk Tarman & Associates handles the entire expungement life cycle across all primary Southern California jurisdictions:
San Bernardino County: Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino Central, and Victorville Courts.
Riverside County: Riverside Hall of Justice, Southwest Justice Center (Murrieta), and Banning Courts.
Los Angeles County: Pomona South, West Covina, El Monte, Pasadena, and Glendale Courthouses.
Orange County: Santa Ana, Newport Beach, and Fullerton Justice Centers.
Don't let your past dictate your future. Contact The Law Offices of Kirk Tarman & Associates or fill out our online contact form to evaluate your eligibility and begin your journey toward a completely clean slate