1203.4 Expungement – What is It?

A 1203.4 expungement is a mechanism in California for clearing your criminal record. A 1203.4 expungement will accomplish one of two things, if granted:

1) If you were convicted of one or more California Criminal Charges by a jury at trial, then a 1203.4 expungement will set aside that conviction. The result will be as if you were never convicted of the California criminal charge.

2) If you voluntarily waived your right to a trial and plead guilty at your court appearance, then the effect of a 1203.4 record expungement will be to withdraw your plea of guilty, and dismiss the California criminal charge against you.

Will a 1203.4 Expungement Help Me in My Job Search?

A 1203.4 record expungement will, in most cases, help you with your job search. It will not seal the record of your arrest, and it will not seal the record of the charges against you, but if you are interested in these types of remedies you can visit the California Expungement Help website for more information.

Although the record of the charges brought against you won’t be sealed, a 1203.4 expungement can still help you in some key ways. Primarily, in most cases you won’t have to disclose the conviction to an employer inquiring about past convictions. The exceptions are specifically spelled out in 1203.4: an expunged conviction will not relieve you of the requirement to disclose if you’re applying for public office, licensure by any state agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery Commission.

Employers Can’t Ask About Prior Charges Not Resulting in Convictions

Remember: when filling out a California Employment Application, an employer can’t ask you about past California criminal charges which did not result in a conviction. Employers are prevented from doing so under California Labor Code 432.7. (The exception to this is if you are applying to be a peace officer – in that case, an employer can ask about prior charges.)

Get Help With Your 1203.4 Expungement

Attorney Paul J. Denni is an experienced expungement attorney who can help you clear your criminal conviction with an affordable 1203.4 expungement. You can reach Mr. Denni by phone at 888-250-8450, or by email at expungementhelp@gmail.com.