Unfortunately, we are not accepting applications at the moment until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. 

In the meantime, if you like to pursue it on your own, you can obtain further information from the San Diego Superior Court's website: Clearing Your Record - Superior Court of California - County of San Diego.

Fresh Start: Comprehensive Criminal Record Relief Program

Criminal record can make finding employment, obtaining housing, enrolling in and funding an education, and securing other civic opportunities very difficult.  The good news is that there are options for you to move forward, even if you have made mistakes in the past.  From reducing felony convictions to misdemeanors to dismissing/expunging your criminal record, the County of San Diego Office of the Public Defender is pleased to help you with your Fresh Start!

Our experienced attorneys will review your criminal history and seek appropriate methods of relief for you.  In order to best advise you on your record relief options, we will obtain a copy of your California Department of Justice Criminal History Report and potentially other court records on your behalf at no cost to you.

Expungement (Dismissal) of Criminal Convictions (PC 1203.4 et. seq)

Motions to Reduce Felony Convictions to Misdemeanors (PC 17(b))

PC 290 Sex Offender Registration Relief

Human Trafficking Victim Vacatur Relief (PC 236.14)

Intimate Partner Violence/Sexual Violence Vacatur Relief (PC 236.15)

Prop. 47 Relief (Reclassifying Certain Low-Level Felonies to Misdemeanors)

Prop. 64 Relief (Reclassifying Certain Marijuana Crimes)

Sealing Adult Arrest Records

PC 1000 Sealing (PC 1203.43)

Correcting Errors in Department of Justice Criminal History Records

Instructions on How to Get Your Criminal History Report

Testimonials

To All, It's with a grateful heart I take a minute to thank all of you. Working with the entire Fresh Start Program was absolutely incredible. Thank you for pushing me, believing in me and for giving people like us a chance to redeem the wrongs we did. There is not a day that goes by that I don't regret what I did, what I lost. Through all of your encouragement I was able to walk through a very stressful time and be given my FREEDOM back. If there is ever a time I can help another in my situation, I'd be honored to do so. Thank you Laura & the entire Fresh Start team for helping me achieve this!! This would not be possible without your guidance.

Best Regards,
Steven
 

Hello, last year you wrote up my petition for expungement and I’m happy to let you know the judge granted my petition April 5. I wanted to thank you for all your help and tell you how grateful I am to have my case dismissed after 21 years.

Best wishes Timothy 

Thank you, Michele and Kelly, and everyone else who helped with my case!! I wanted to say this in the court hearing, but I was quickly losing my composure, sorry about that - it’s sort of a life changing event or me. I had almost resigned my future to a very limited existence. Now I can actually get work in the fields I’ve gone to school for and trained in for decades. Once I can get my back etc fixed, I can be a real person again!!    Thanks!!

-Jonathan :)

Just wanted to thank you so much for the amazing job you did helping me. Myself and my family really  appreciate your support and hard work! Thanks again!

Ryan