CALIFORNIA CERTIFICATE OF REHABILITATION
Certificate of Rehabilitation is yet another option available to individuals convicted of crimes in California. This relief is available for the following individuals:
Who qualifies for a Certificate of Rehabilitation?
Dismissal of the underlying charges pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4 is not required before seeking a Certificate of Rehabilitation, so long as the person served a prison sentence. If probation was imposed instead of a prison sentence, dismissal must first be obtained, and the defendant must be free from felony probation.
Certificate of Rehabilitation is yet another option available to individuals convicted of crimes in California. This relief is available for the following individuals:
- If you were sentenced to state prison and were released on parole, thereby making you ineligible for expungement.
- If you have a felony conviction.
- If you have misdemeanor convictions and are required to register pursuant to Penal Code section 290
- Application for a Governor's pardon becomes automatic, once granted.
- State licensing agencies will take into account the Certificate when deciding to grant a state license (i.e. Nursing, Real Estate, Contractor, etc.)
- It relieves certain sex-offenders from registration requirements of Penal Code section 290
Who qualifies for a Certificate of Rehabilitation?
- You must have a felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction that requires registration pursuant to Penal Code section 290 that has been expunged
- You must have continuously lived in California for 3 to 5 years prior to applying for a Certificate and Pardon (Residency requirement is 3 years if released on parole. 5 year residency is required for all other cases)
- You must present a satisfactory period of rehabilitation which begins from the date you were released from custody
Dismissal of the underlying charges pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4 is not required before seeking a Certificate of Rehabilitation, so long as the person served a prison sentence. If probation was imposed instead of a prison sentence, dismissal must first be obtained, and the defendant must be free from felony probation.