If you’ve been arrested, those several hours from being in handcuffs until you walked out of a police station can haunt you for the rest of your life. A lot of people get arrested, but may never be convicted. While the legal troubles may be gone, that arrest can stick on your record for you entire life. The team at Unlock Legal understands that it is unsightly if you are applying for a job or a professional license.
Under California law, individuals who were arrested, but never convicted are allowed to submit a request to seal your arrest record. So, what does it mean to seal your record? Sealing your record means your record would not show up on most criminal background checks. This is great news for licensed professionals or individuals looking to become a licensed professional who want to protect their license. Here at Unlock Legal, we want to help defend your license by sealing your records.
California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 393 into law on October 12, 2017. The law, referred to as The CARE Act, took effect on January 1, 2018. SB 393 is now codified in several Penal code sections, including California Penal Code 851.87 PC. This bill made it easier to remove arrests from your record when:
- The defendant was found “Not Guilty”
- The defendant had criminal charges filed but dismissed
- The defendant never had criminal charges filed against them
- The defendant successfully completed a government program and/or treatment pending on charges filed
- The defendant’s conviction was overturned or vacated
If your case was dismissed or overturned, why would it still be necessary to remove the arrest from your record? It’s simple. These records are public and could reflect poorly on your reputation within your industry. Arrest records are accessible to hiring managers. By removing those arrest records from public view, you would have a clean slate for the future.
If you have a history of arrests and/or violent charges, you may not qualify to seal your arrest record. To help you better understand the process of sealing your record, contact us today for a quick and discreet consultation. It’s fast and easy. Don’t let your past convictions haunt your future. Reach out to the Unlock Legal team today by calling us at 949-988-4444, or reach out to us here, or you can fill out the form below, and we will reach out to you.
