Home > Research Legal Advice > Criminal Defense > I was arrested for receiving stolen property. The case was deferred and ...
Asked over 2 years ago - Tustin, CA
Flagdismissed. My question is that what would a background check reveal? Would they see an arrest and the dismissed charge? Or would they also see that I had to do community service to get the case dismissed? Is there anyway at all that I can seal or expunge this record? Thank you.
The best way to proceed is to request a copy of your "rap sheet," and see what shows up on it. If the arrest is showing up on your rap sheet, then we would look at the different legal options available to expunge it. Call my office if you have any questions. It would be happy to discuss this with you without charge.
Best Wishes,
Jason Beahm
Beahm Law
Expungement & Traffic
San Francisco, CA
www.californiacleanrecord.com
415.493.8677
You don't say how old you were when this happened. If the case was in juvenile court, you can file a petition to have the record sealed.
If the case was filed in adult court, the records will show that you were charged and the case was dismissed after completion of community service. If this was some sort of diversion before the case was filed, there won't be a public court record.
There is no way to seal an adult criminal case unless the judge makes a finding you were factually innocent. A so-called "expungement" is granted after a person completes probation; it just adds a note to the court records saying the case was dismissed after probation, but does not seal the record.
California law says employers may not consider any arrest or charge that did not result in a conviction.
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