The Santa Clara County Office of the Public Defender will begin providing expungement services starting September 16, 2013, for Reentry Program Clients through the Public Safety Realignment Act (AB109). This program will provide record clearance (expungement) services to clients who have misdemeanor or felony convictions on their record. Assistance is available for individuals provided that financial eligibility criteria for Public Defender assistance are met.
If you were on formal probation assigned a probation officer, it may help to talk to your probation officer before starting to clear your record on your own. He/she might be able to assess your eligibility, advise you on how to proceed with the petition and explain to you the consequences of an expungement.
Since 2008, students enrolled in the Justice Studies classes have been helping clients prepare court petitions and assisting them with court hearings. The process normally starts with a Speed Screening session, followed by a one-on-one consultation for those chosen.
The clinic is a law school educational program and accepts clients generally at the beginning of each semester. Appointment can be scheduled after an initial evaluation over the phone.