Once an order for expungement pursuant to 1203.4 has been granted, you can lawfully state that you have not been convicted of the crime when asked on a job application from a private (non-law enforcement) employer. Those exceptions, where disclosure is required, are set out in the statute: "the order does not relieve him or she of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery." This means that if applying for public office, seeking any license from the state (real estate, stock broker, doctor, lawyer, etc.) , or contracting with the California State Lottery, the conviction must be disclosed (although it can be disclosed as an expunged conviction) . It is worth noting that applications to become a Peace Officer, while not mentioned in the statute, typically require disclosure of expunged convictions. Your Juvenile records do appear on your criminal record. Upon your 18th birthday, you are eligible to petition to have your juvenile records sealed. Once sealed, no one can gain access to them and they will be completely destroyed five years from the date of sealing.
Answered on Oct 14th, 2012 at 12:50 PM