Pardons and Expungement, Sealing Criminal Record Category: Crime and Prisons
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A person who has been convicted of a crime may have options to seek clemency (pardon) or a conviction review while still incarcerated, and may have a variety of options to reduce the effects of their conviction once they have completed their sentence and probation, such as expungement, record sealing, and seeking a pardon. Recent laws have changed penalties for certain crimes and a person convicted of those crimes may be able to seek resentencing at a lesser level (changing a felony to a misdemeanor).
Clearing Your Criminal Background
Clearing your criminal record in California can be a complex process, but it is possible under certain circumstances. There are two main avenues to pursue: expungement and sealing/destroying records. Expungement is available for individuals who have completed their probation or sentence for a misdemeanor or felony offense and have demonstrated...
Read MoreSacramento County Sheriff’s Work Project
Crime and Prisons
The Work Release Division is Sacramento County’s alternative to incarceration or in lieu of the payment of certain traffic fines for those convicted of a criminal or traffic offense in Sacramento County. Public hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Sacramento County District Attorney
Crime and Prisons
Sacramento County Public Defender
Crime and Prisons
The Office of the Public Defender provides the following legal services to individuals who cannot afford to hire the services of a private attorney. Provides indigent defendants their constitutionally guaranteed right to representation when accused of felonies and misdemeanors. Represents clients in developmentally disabled and conservatorship cases. Represents juveniles in delinquency cases.
Civil Self Help Services
Courts and Procedure
Civil Self-Help Services (SHS) helps people without lawyers who have questions about simple issues related to a civil case. They can give you general information and help you prepare your own forms in the area of civil law. Common topics include civil harassment restraining orders, petitions for change of name/gender, and expungement of criminal convictions.
Sacramento Justice League
Family
Sacramento Justice League is a nonprofit corporation in Sacramento offering low cost legal services and occasional free clinics. Topics covered include:
- Direct Family Law Legal Services
- Name Changes/Birth Certificate Changes
- Criminal Expungement Assistance
- Credit and Debt Relief Assistance
- Self-Represented Family Law Workshops
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
- Landlord/Tenant Issues
- Bankruptcy
Certificate of Rehabilitation: Cleaning Up Felony Convictions when Expungement Is Not Available
The granting of a Certificate or Rehabilitation restores some of the rights of citizenship that were forfeited as a result of a felony conviction. It may also be used to relieve some persons convicted of sex offenses of their registration requirements (see California Penal Code (PC) § 290.5 for a...
Read MoreExpungement (Cleaning up a Criminal Record): Understanding Sacramento Court’s Expungement Packet
Free Video! Criminal Records Expungement Video This video is a joint project of the Sacramento County Public Law Library and the former Voluntary Legal Services Program. It explains how to ask the court to dismiss your convictions and expunge your record. Have your criminal record and blank forms ready before...
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