California record clearing
California Dismissal, Set-Aside & Record Sealing: what to know before you start
Here is how record clearing works in California, in plain language. A record-clearing path may be available in some situations and not in others — the free check walks you through what California looks at.
What California calls it: Dismissal, Set-Aside & Record Sealing
California uses dismissal / set-aside relief and record sealing rather than the word expungement.
Words used in California
- expungement
- sealing
- set-aside
- erasure
- Clean Slate
- pardon
Record-clearing paths Expungement.ai supports in California
These are the paths the free check asks about in California. Which one fits — if any — depends on the details of your situation, and the court or agency makes the final decision.
- Tool 1 — Dismissal / set-aside (PC 1203.4 and variants)
- Tool 2 — Automatic relief (PC 851.93 arrests / 1203.425 convictions)
- Tool 3 — Petition-based felony sealing (SB 731 / PC 1203.49 framework)
- Tool 4 — Arrest-record sealing (PC 851.91; factual innocence PC 851.8)
Before you rely on this page
Record-clearing rules change and vary by state and by case. This page is general information, not legal advice, and a record-clearing path may or may not be available in your situation. LegalEase is not a law firm. The court or agency makes the final decision.
Expungement.ai is a self-help document preparation service. It does not tell you whether a court will clear your record, and nothing here is a promise about the outcome of your case.
See what may be available in California.
The free check takes about 3 minutes. No card and no account to start. It walks through what California looks at and shows you what a self-help packet would include.
Self-help document preparation. LegalEase is not a law firm, and this is not legal advice. The court or agency makes the final decision.