Free Expungement Help in California
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026
California has one of the most complex expungement systems in the country — eight different legal pathways depending on your conviction type, sentence, and what happened after. Most people qualify for PC 1203.4 expungement if they completed probation. The newer AB 1076 automatic sealing can run alongside a petition — they're not mutually exclusive. If you're in Los Angeles, Bet Tzedek runs free expungement clinics and is one of the best resources in the state. If you're in the Bay Area, East Bay Community Law Center is your first call.
⚠️ Clean Slate / Automatic Sealing
Partial — California AB 1076 (PC 1203.425) created automatic record sealing for eligible arrests and convictions that would have qualified for relief. The DOJ began sending automatic sealing notifications in 2024. Not all convictions qualify; PC 1203.4 petition-based expungement remains the primary path for most people.
How to get a fee waiver in California
File a Request to Waive Court Fees (form FW-001) with your PC 1203.4 petition. California courts grant fee waivers for those whose income is below 125% of the federal poverty level. The AB 1076 automatic sealing process has no fee at all.
Fee waivers (also called Affidavit of Indigency or In Forma Pauperis petition) are typically available if your household income is at or below 125–200% of the federal poverty level, or if you currently receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, or veterans benefits based on need.
Verified free legal aid organizations in California
Every organization below is a verified non-profit or government-affiliated legal aid program. None are paid services. Always confirm your eligibility directly with the organization.
Free expungement help by city in California
Free expungement resources vary significantly by metro area. Here's what's available in the largest cities, including clinic schedules and local contacts.
Los Angeles / LA County
Los Angeles is one of the few places where free expungement clinics operate on a near-monthly basis. Bet Tzedek runs regular "Clean Slate" clinics in partnership with the LA County Public Defender. Check their events calendar for current dates. The LA County DA's office also has a record relief unit — ask specifically about the Clean Slate Program.
San Francisco / Bay Area
- East Bay Community Law Center
- Bay Area Legal Aid
- Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights of the SF Bay Area
The Bay Area has a robust reentry services ecosystem. East Bay Community Law Center takes criminal record cases and runs a dedicated clean-slate project. Bay Area Legal Aid covers low-income clients across Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Sonoma counties.
San Diego
Legal Aid Society of San Diego provides free civil legal services including record relief for income-qualifying residents. San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program coordinates pro bono legal help through the county bar association.
Fresno / Central Valley
Central California Legal Services covers Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Madera counties. The Central Valley is underserved compared to coastal cities — CCLS is the primary resource. Call early; waitlists can be long.
California free expungement — frequently asked questions
What is PC 1203.4 and does it fully clear my record?
PC 1203.4 is California's standard expungement law. It withdraws your guilty plea (or sets aside the verdict) and dismisses the case — but the conviction can still appear on certain background checks and must still be disclosed for government jobs, professional licenses, and some housing applications. It is not a full erasure but it does remove the conviction from most private employer background checks.
Does California AB 1076 automatic sealing apply to me?
AB 1076 covers arrests that did not result in conviction and convictions that would have been eligible for petition-based relief under existing law. The California DOJ is working through the backlog. If your eligible conviction is older than January 1, 2023, you may already have been sealed — check your RAP sheet through the DOJ to confirm. The process is automatic and free; you do not need to file anything.
Can I expunge a felony in California?
Yes, if you were sentenced to county jail (not state prison) and completed probation successfully. Most felonies sentenced under PC 1170(h) after 2011 qualify. Felonies where you served time in state prison generally do not qualify for PC 1203.4 but may qualify for a Certificate of Rehabilitation or governor's pardon.
More California expungement resources
- Complete California expungement guide → — eligibility, process, statutes, and timelines
- How much does expungement cost? (state-by-state)
- What shows up on a background check after expungement?
- ← All states: free expungement help directory