Will an expungement show on background check in California?

Asked by: Deangelo Fadel  |  Last update: February 5, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (2 votes)

While an expunged conviction will still show up on background checks, it will also show that it has been dismissed, which can improve your chances of employment or housing.

Will my expunged record show up on a background check in California?

An expunged arrest is removed completely from the public record. Sealing court records generally only applies to crimes committed by juveniles. The arrest and conviction will remain on the person's record but can only be seen by court order. Sealed records should not turn up in a criminal background check.

How long does it take for your record to clear after expungement in California?

How long does a California Expungement take? Generally speaking, you can count on your expungement taking in the neighborhood of 90 to 120 days, but certain courts or older cases can take longer. Several factors impact the length of time an expungement takes to go through the court system.

What agencies can see expunged records?

Who Can See My Criminal Record after It Is Expunged?
  • Criminal justice agencies (court administrative jobs, positions with juvenile court or state prisons, police officer jobs)
  • Human service agencies (social work positions, probation officer positions, counselors)
  • Department of Education (working in a public school)

Does expungement show on level 2 background check?

The existence of expunged convictions that involve mistreatment of children or other vulnerable individuals may be legally reported in Level 2 background checks, though unsealing the details of those records typically requires a court order.

Do expunged charges show up on a background check?

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What disqualifies you from a level 2 background check in California?

Potentially disqualifying offenses for a Level 2 background check include serious criminal convictions such as violent crimes like murder, assault, and kidnapping; sexual offenses like sexual assault and child molestation; and major drug-related crimes such as drug trafficking and drug manufacturing.

Do you have to disclose expunged records for security clearance?

The answer to this question will almost always be emphatic: yes, you should disclose the record even though it has been expunged. Although expungement laws vary from state to state, generally speaking, they are not actually deleted or destroyed when criminal records are expunged.

What is the new law in California for expungement?

There is a new law in California that went into effect in 2023 called the California Clean Slate Act (SB 731). Under the Clean Slate Act, authorities will automatically expunge – or dismiss – certain arrests and criminal convictions.

Who can see your record after expungement?

Also, certain government agencies will almost always have access to expunged records. Courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice agencies can access expunged records for future criminal investigations and charging and sentencing decisions.

Can the FBI see my expunged record?

Expunged records can, in some cases, appear on FBI background checks, especially those conducted by law enforcement or certain government entities.. While expungement is meant to remove or restrict access to criminal records, the effectiveness of the process varies by jurisdiction.

Is expungement worth it California?

There are many benefits to expunged convictions. First and foremost, it will give you peace of mind. As expressed in the California Penal Code 1203.4, expungement absolves a person of all discrimination and penalties that can result from a conviction.

How to check if your record has been expunged in California?

The easiest way to check if your criminal record has been expunged is to visit the court where your case was handled and ask to see the records. If the court tells you they don't have your records, it means they were expunged.

Do misdemeanors show up on background checks in California?

In California, a background check will typically reveal if somebody was convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, such as common crimes like driving under the influence (DUI) or Penal Code 243.4 PC domestic battery.

Can you seal an expunged record in California?

If you had charges dismissed after you completed a diversion program, you can ask to seal the records under Penal Code section 1001.9. If you had charges dismissed after you completed a drug diversion program, you can ask to seal the records under Penal Code section 851.90.

What does a doj background check show?

The results of a background check from the Department of Justice typically include credit history, past employment verification, and criminal history.

Do expunged records show up on background checks on Reddit?

Almost certainly yes. Most background check policies will clearly state that you are expected to disclose all past convictions. The reason you need to disclose it is the same reason you wanted it sealed: it's embarrassing and could cost you employment opportunities.

Can police see expunged records in California?

Once expunged, such records cannot be accessed for general law enforcement or civil use. However, under certain exceptional situations, the expunged records can be searched, retrieved, and used, but this occurs only in exceptional circumstances which normally require a court order or statutory authorization.

What companies can see expunged records?

Many public employers will likely be able to see your conviction, but will also see that it has been expunged. These are jobs that are for the government or require a government-issued license, certificate permit, government contract, or security clearance.

Can an expungement be reversed?

Rest assured that the expunged crime will not be reversed, meaning it will still be invisible to employers and landlords during a background check. However, law enforcement and the criminal court can use your expunged crime against you after a new arrest.

Can employers see expunged records in California?

This means that for a vast majority of the jobs you will be applying for, your expunged conviction will NOT be visible to your potential employer and you have no duty to disclose any convictions that have been expunged, which necessarily drastically increases your marketability.

What is the 7 year rule for criminal background checks in California?

The FCRA includes a seven-year rule that prohibits background check companies from reporting certain types of adverse information that is older than seven years when the position the applicant has applied for pays a salary of less than $75,000 per year, which will be explained below.

Can I own a gun after expungement in California?

Thus, even if you have had a conviction expunged in California, you will still have the ban if that conviction was for a felony or for a qualifying misdemeanor that triggered either a ten-year or lifetime ban on owning or possessing a firearm. Unlawfully owning or possessing a firearm is a crime.

Do expunged records show up on fingerprinting in California?

Yes – your fingerprints will still be on file at both the state and federal levels. That's because fingerprints are physical records, and expungements do not destroy them. At the state level, your fingerprints won't be connected to your expunged case, but they could still be used to identify you.

Do expunged records show up on TSA background check?

Expunged records will still appear on your background check when applying for TSA PreCheck; they will not necessarily disqualify you from being accepted into the program.

What shows up on a security clearance background check?

This security clearance requires a thorough personnel security background investigation that examines your life history, character, trustworthiness, reliability and sound judgment. The background investigation will: Review your previous and current employment history, including contact with your current employer.