A new ruling in the Northern District of California opens possibilities for firearm possession for those with out of state felony convictions.

Is it possible to remove a conviction entry in the DOJ record after dismissal under Penal Code section 1203.4? Here, I discuss common questions regarding the RAP Sheet and clean record cases.

Effective January 1, 2025, new laws increase the punishments for theft and drug possession for repeat offenders.

What does a district attorney objection mean for a clean record case, and when does it occur? Find out in this blog post.

The Record Clearance Project is an inspiring non-profit operating in Santa Clara County that helps people obtain expungements and gives students valuable experience with the justice system.

The California Department of Justice now automatically reviews cases for dismissal under Penal Code section 1203.4. How does that effect the case? How does a person find out if automatic dismissal has been granted?

Does refusal to submit to a blood test result in a jury instruction for consciousness of guilt? In People v. Boularchi (2024, A167289), the Court of Appeal found this instruction valid where the defendant refused to submit to a blood draw unless the police officer first obtained a warrant for the test.

A firearm dealer denial could be the result of faulty criminal history records with the DOJ or the applicant might need additional clean record relief.

Lessons learned from listening to all the reasons a district attorney might object to a clean record petition in Alameda County.

With concealed carry applications being heard by local police departments rather than the Alameda County Sheriff, the San Leandro City Council put new fees in place for a concealed carry license.

In difficult sex offender registration cases, a detailed personal statement and documentation of treatment can mean the difference between success and failure.

Expungements in Caifornia do not restore firearm ownership rights after a felony conviction, but there are other ways to restore the right to possess a gun.

This November, California voters will vote on Proposition 36, which would repeal many of the provisions of Proposition 47. Proposition 36 would restore the ability of prosecutors to charge felonies for simple drug possession cases with a prior and lower the threshold value for grand theft from $950 to $450.

After the trial court erroneously denied a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon, the Court of Appeal clarified what a trial court can consider when ruling on a petition.

The United States Supreme Court decided in U.S. v. Rahimi that people subject to a domestic violence restraining order cannot possess firearms.

In United States v. Rahimi, the Supreme Court will soon decide if a law prohibiting firearm ownership for those subject to a domestic violence restraining order is constitutional under the Second Amendment.

This blog explains which sex offenses prohibit sealing of a juvenile record.

Court of Appeal concludes that a second wardship when the juvenile was previously a ward of the court only bars sealing a juvenile record when that wardship was for a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Some misdemeanors can be reduced to infractions under Penal Code section 17, subdivision (d). The most common convictions eligible are disturbing the peace, driving a vehicle without a licese, and buying alcohol with a fake identification.

Appellate court finds that lower court considered irrelevant factors when dismissing motion to terminate sex offender registration.