According to California Penal Code Sections 4852.01 – 4852.21 (PC-4852.01) to (PC-4852.21) Certificate of Rehabilitation is a court order that attests to a person’s rehabilitation since his conviction for a particular sex misdemeanor or a felony for which he served state prison time.
Certificate of Rehabilitation doesn’t erase or
seal person’s criminal record, but, it does limit the negative effects of
criminal record.
Eligibility For Certificate of Rehabilitation
Eligibility for getting a Certificate of Rehabilitation include the following
- Person must have continuously live in California for
the past 5 years since his release or for 3 years in case he was on parole - Additional waiting period has passed since person was
released - Person has not been jailed or imprisoned since the end
of his sentence - Person is not currently on probation for a felony
conviction. - Person is not deemed ineligible to obtain a California
Certificate of Rehabilitation. - Person must have lived a custody-free life
- Person must show proof of rehabilitation and convince
the judge that he deserve to exercise all the civil and political rights of
citizenship.
When is Someone Not Eligible for a Certificate of Rehabilitation
A person wont be eligible for a Certificate of Rehabilitation in case such as
- Received a misdemeanor conviction for a crime other
than a sex crime listed in Penal Code 290 - Was undergoing compulsory life parole
- Was convicted with a federal offense or with any crime
outside of California - Is currently
serving in the U.S. military - Was sentenced with the death penalty
OR in case he was convicted of any of the
following crimes:
- Felony sexual battery
- Felony statutory rape
- Felony pimping or pandering
- Sexual assault or rape
- Sexual assault of a child
- Lewd acts with a child
- Continued sexual abuse of a child
- Assault with the intent to commit a sex crime
- Child molestation
- Oral copulation by force or with a child
- Sex act with a child under the age of 10
- Child molestation
- Kidnapping with the intent to commit a sex crime
Benefits of Certificate of Rehabilitation
Benefits of Certificate of Rehabilitation include the following
- Increases person’s ability to secure state licenses
- Restores civil rights, except for 2nd Amendment rights
- Serves as a hard evidence for employers that person
has rehabilitated - Prohibits employers from asking about conviction
- Prevents conviction from being used to impeach person
as a witness - Removes the requirement to register as a sex offender
Limits of Certificate of Rehabilitation
Second Amendment Rights
In case a person was convicted of a felony, he
will be denied his Second Amendment rights—the right to posses or own firearms.
The only way to restore these rights is a Governor’s Pardon. After getting a
Certificate of Rehabilitation a person is eligible to apply for a Governor’s Pardon.
Public Record
A certificate of rehabilitation, unlike an
expungement, does not automatically remove person’s conviction from public
databases.
Person’s past convictions still counts as a
prior offense in case he commits a crime again. Additionally he must disclose
his conviction if applying for a job with the State Lottery Commission, if
running for public office, or if applying for a professional license.
When is a Person Eligible to Apply for a Certificate of Rehabilitation?
Depending on the crime the main waiting period
is 7, 9 or 10 years.
- 10 years waiting period is for any sex offense that
required a person to register as a sex offender under state law. - 9 years waiting period is for the following crimes:
aggravated kidnapping, homicide, assault with force likely to cause great
bodily injury, acts involving explosive devices or devices that cause mass
mayhem, acts or omissions that cause another person’s death under the Military
& Veteran’s Code, train wrecking or derailing, and any conviction that
carries life sentence. - 7 years waiting period is for all remaining
convictions.
Process of Applying for Certificate of Rehabilitation in California
The process of applying for the Certificate of Rehabilitation in California include the following filing a petition, obtaining a criminal record copy. proving evidence of rehabilitation, and attending the hearing.
- Filling the petition
According to California Penal Code Section
4852.06 person must fill the petition for Certificate of Rehabilitation in the Superior
Court of his current county of residence.
Person must notify the district attorney in his county of residence, as
well as the district attorney of each county in which he was convicted of a
felony. The notice must identify all crimes for which he is requesting
rehabilitation.
- Obtaining a criminal
record copy
The court will require detailed information
about person’s criminal history and the crimes for which he is seeking
rehabilitation. Person can get a copy of his criminal record at the court where
he was convicted or at the California Department of Corrections.
- Providing evidence of
rehabilitation
Person will have to provide evidence for proving
that he has made positive changes in his life. Evidence can include:
- Completion of alcohol and drug counseling
- Permanent employment or education
- Residency in California
- Completion of domestic violence counseling
- Voluntary participation in behavioral counseling
- Volunteering in local community
- Providing recommendations from community officials,
employers , friends and family members
- Attending the hearing
If the Superior Court schedule a hearing to consider the petition it will notify the Governor’s office and the district attorney involved in person’s conviction. The judge will consider testimony and presented evidence. This also includes the opposing arguments offered by the state.
Are you in need of legal assistance with receiving a Certificate of Rehabilitation in the state of California? Our lawyers in Los Angeles, California at KAASS LAW can provide you with all the services that you need.