California Criminal Records

Are California criminal records public?

In California, it is illegal to provide a criminal history to anyone other than law enforcement, except the person who committed the crime and places such as schools or child protection services. It is possible to get one’s own criminal records through local courts and online databases. To obtain these records more quickly, however, there are criminal record websites that can provide a criminal history and a full background check, such as the one provided here.

What crimes are felonies in California?

Felonies are the most severe type of crime in California. They have a punishment of more than a year in prison, in addition to fines. In California, there are straight felonies and wobbly felonies. Straight felonies can be charged as a felony and nothing else. Wobbly felonies can be reduced to a misdemeanor depending on the severity and circumstances of the crime. Examples of felonies in California are:

Rape

Assault with a deadly weapon

Manslaughter

Murder

Hate Crimes

Torture

What are considered misdemeanors in California?

Misdemeanors are the “middle of the road” type of crime in terms of severity, as it’s punishment is worse than an infraction but less than a felony sentence. The consequences of committing a misdemeanor can include up to a year of prison and a $1000 fine. Examples of misdemeanors in California are:

Shoplifting

Domestic Violence

Reckless Driving

Drug Possession

Disturbing the peace

Is the sex offender registry public in California?

Through Megan’s Law, the sex offender registry is made public. Information on registered sex offenders can be found through online databases and will provide a history of sex offenses and sentences. This law was implemented to protects citizens of California from potential sex offenders. It was implemented because of the case of Megan Kanka, who was molested and killed by a known child molester. This law was passed in 1996 and requires notification to a community whenever a sex offender is released.

How can I expunge my criminal record in California?

To get a criminal record expunged in California, there is a specific procedure and requirements that must be met. To better understand these processes, it is highly recommended to contact a lawyer. Firstly, the details of the conviction record must be required. This includes things such as the case number, date of conviction, the prison that the subject of the crime was held in (if held in a prison), the date of release, whether probation was served, the code names and section numbers of crimes violated, etc. A copy of this information must be gathered, and then depending on the eligibility, a petition can be filed to the court for dismissal. Note: any possession of marijuana for personal use is erased after two years automatically anytime after 1976.

How far back can employers check criminal background in California?

The criminal background check is a little different compared to other states in California. The farthest back employers can check for criminal activity is seven years. However, employers can only check for a criminal history after offering employment. This is because of the “Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act”. This is a law in California that requires agencies to use consumer information in a way that is just, especially in terms of employment, insurance, and land. This law allows for protective measures such as notifications to individuals when an agency is gathering their report.

Los Angeles County criminal records

To find a criminal record in Los Angeles County, visit the Clerk’s office in any Superior Court and file a request for your criminal record. The biggest county in California is Los Angeles County, with over 10 million residents. In Los Angeles County, there are 555 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 41 cases of rape per 100,000 residents, and a 1 in 132 chance of being a victim of a crime in Los Angeles County.