Free Expungement Help in California
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 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.
Quick answer: free expungement help in California
In California, free expungement help may be available through nonprofit legal aid, local clinics, court fee waivers, and eligibility screening programs. Start with the verified organizations below, then confirm whether your court costs or filing fees can be waived.
⚠️ 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.
Who should start with free legal aid?
Start here if money is the barrier
Legal aid is usually the best first step if filing fees, attorney fees, or document costs would stop you from pursuing expungement or sealing. Most programs screen by income, household size, case type, and county.
Use clinics for screening
Expungement clinics are especially useful when you are not sure whether the record qualifies. Bring your case number and disposition so a clinic can tell you whether to file, wait, or use another remedy.
Use fee waivers for court costs
A fee waiver does not guarantee expungement, but it can remove the court filing cost. Ask the clerk or legal aid intake whether your state uses an indigency affidavit, in forma pauperis form, or fee waiver.
Use an attorney for complex records
If you have multiple counties, felonies, pending charges, immigration concerns, licensing issues, or a denied petition, ask legal aid whether you need full representation instead of brief advice.
Documents to gather before calling legal aid
- Government ID and current contact information.
- Case number, arrest date, charge, county, and court name.
- Certified disposition or docket sheet showing how the case ended.
- Proof that probation, parole, fines, fees, or restitution are complete, if applicable.
- Recent proof of income or public benefits if the organization screens by income.
- A short explanation of why you need the record cleared: work, housing, licensing, school, immigration, or family stability.
Verified free legal aid organizations in California
Every organization below is a nonprofit, government-affiliated, law-school, court, or bar-backed resource. Resource links were browser-checked on May 28, 2026, but clinic schedules and eligibility rules change. Always confirm details directly with the organization before relying on a date, income limit, or service area.
- Bet Tzedek Legal Services (LA)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- East Bay Community Law Center (Oakland)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Bay Area Legal Aid (SF Bay Area)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Inland Counties Legal Services (Riverside / San Bernardino)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Central California Legal Services (Fresno / Central Valley)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
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 local legal aid offices, clinics, bar-backed programs, and reentry resources.
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.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
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.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
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.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
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.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
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.
What if you do not qualify for free help?
If legal aid cannot take your case, you may still have options: file on your own, request a fee waiver, wait for automatic Clean Slate sealing, or consult a licensed attorney for a paid eligibility review. ExpungeReady does not have verified California attorney listings yet, so start with the guides below.
- 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