To get your record expunged in San Francisco, you file a petition under PC 1203.4 to withdraw your guilty plea and have the case dismissed. You must have completed probation, have no pending charges, and not be currently serving a sentence. For arrest records that still show even after dismissal, you file separately for arrest sealing under PC 851.91. For old felonies that now qualify as misdemeanors, you petition under Prop 47. Most petitions resolve within 4–8 weeks.
“Dismissed” Doesn’t Mean “Invisible”
This is the problem most people don't discover until it's too late. You completed probation. You moved on. But every background check drags you back. Employers see it. Landlords see it. Licensing boards see it.
California law provides real tools to clean up your record — but most people don't know they exist, and the ones who do often don't know which tool to use. There are three main options, and they do different things.
Three Tools for Clearing Your Record
PC 1203.4 — Expungement
The court reopens your case, withdraws the guilty plea, enters a not-guilty plea, and dismisses the case. On most background checks, the conviction now shows as “dismissed” instead of “convicted.”
Who qualifies: Completed probation (or eligible for early termination). No pending charges. Not currently serving a sentence. Most misdemeanor and many felony convictions are eligible.
PC 851.91 — Arrest Record Sealing
Even after dismissal, the arrest still shows on your record. Sealing removes it entirely. Once sealed, you can legally answer “No” when asked if you've ever been arrested.
Who qualifies: Cases dismissed, acquitted, never filed, statute of limitations expired, or resolved through diversion.
Prop 47 — Felony Reduction
Proposition 47 reclassified certain felonies as misdemeanors. If you were convicted of a qualifying felony — petty theft, shoplifting, forgery under $950, simple drug possession — you can petition for retroactive reduction to a misdemeanor.
This eliminates felony-specific consequences: firearms restrictions, jury service disqualification, and severe employment limitations.
Why Record Clearing Matters
How Long Does an Expungement Take?
Most expungement petitions in San Francisco resolve within 4–8 weeks of filing. Some are granted on the papers without a hearing. Others require a brief court appearance. After the court grants relief, I ensure the order is transmitted to the DOJ so your California RAP sheet is updated.
How Much Does an Expungement Cost?
Expungement fees range from $500 to $3,000 depending on complexity — single conviction vs. multiple matters, misdemeanor vs. felony, expungement alone vs. combined with arrest sealing.
ASH Legal quotes a specific flat fee during your consultation based on your specific situation. No hourly billing. No hidden costs.
Free 30-Minute Consultation
Tell me what's on your record. I'll tell you what can come off and exactly what it will cost.
Schedule Free ConsultationAbout the Author
Ahmed S. Hasan
San Francisco Criminal Defense Attorney · State Bar of California #364992
Ahmed S. Hasan is the founder of ASH Legal, a solo criminal defense practice based in San Francisco. The firm runs on flat-fee representation: one lawyer, one fee, from arraignment through resolution. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices.
Ahmed is a graduate of Emory University School of Law and a member in good standing of the State Bar of California (Bar #364992). His practice focuses on San Francisco misdemeanor defense — DUI, domestic violence, petty theft and shoplifting, drug possession, vandalism, trespassing, and assault and battery — with particular attention to diversion-track outcomes that end in dismissal under PC 1001.95, PC 1001.36 (Mental Health Diversion), PC 1001.80 (Military Diversion), and PC 1001.83 (Parental Caregiver Diversion).
Ahmed previously served as a post-bar clerk with the San Francisco Public Defender's Office, the city's largest indigent-defense practice. He is a member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley.
He represents clients at the San Francisco Hall of Justice (850 Bryant Street) and the Civic Center Courthouse. The ASH Legal office is at 15 Boardman Place, Suite 301, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Free 30-minute consultations are available by phone or Zoom. (510) 545-6515 · ahmed@ashlegal.com