A criminal record simply makes your life harder. It may prevent you from being hired, getting an apartment, obtaining a professional license, qualifying for government programs, and receiving student loans. Criminal records usually are publicly available and easily found.

There are some ways to improve your situation. If you are eligible, Spolin Law P.C. can assist you in obtaining a Certificate of Rehabilitation. It’s one of the few ways you can limit the harm caused by your criminal record in California, New York, or Texas. Call (310) 424-5816 or contact us online for a free consultation.

A Certificate of Rehabilitation Can Help You Get Your Life Back

A Certificate of Rehabilitation won’t expunge or seal your record, but it may be your best option if expungement or other post-conviction remedies aren’t available.

Under California law, it’s illegal for an employer with five or more employees to fail to hire someone because of their convictions if they have a certificate of rehabilitation. The certificate also functions as an automatic pardon application.

Under California law, the certificate is issued by a court and attests to your rehabilitation after a conviction. Texas and New York have their own versions. With this certificate, you can recover some of your legal rights. It should also be easier to find a job.

The process involves filling out a form, gathering evidence to support your application, and a court hearing. If you receive a certificate:

  • Your civil rights are restored, except your 2nd Amendment rights concerning firearms
  • You can’t be denied public licensing or employment (with some limits) due to your conviction
  • Depending on the crime, you may no longer need to register as a sex offender

Do You Qualify for a Certificate of Rehabilitation?

The certificate won’t erase your felony conviction or seal the criminal record. If you served time in either state prison or county jail, you might qualify if you:

  • Haven’t been re-incarcerated after your release
  • Continuously lived in California for at least five years since your release. Some violent and sex-related crimes have longer waiting periods
  • Have proof of your rehabilitation since your release
  • Aren’t on probation for another felony
  • Were convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison, another California state penal institution or agency, or
  • Were convicted of a felony and sentenced to probation, and your conviction has been expunged, or
  • Were convicted of a misdemeanor sex offense in Penal Code 290 (the Sex Offender Registration Act), and your conviction has been expunged

Proof of rehabilitation can be shown by:

  • A record of consistent employment
  • Getting drug, alcohol, or domestic abuse counseling
  • Engaging in community events and affairs
  • Volunteering for non-profit organizations
  • Not having an arrest record
  • Active involvement in your children’s lives
  • Positive letters from employers, clergy, neighbors, community leaders, or volunteer agencies

After filing your application, a hearing is held. You or your attorney will make your case and evidence that you qualify for the certificate. If the court issues the certificate, it’s reviewed by the Board of Parole Hearings. It will later issue a recommendation as to whether the Governor should pardon you.

Take the Next Step. Contact Spolin Law P.C.

A Certificate of Rehabilitation can help get your life back after serving your sentence and successfully returning to society. To learn more about how you can obtain one or to get our help in the process, call Spolin Law P.C. at (310) 424-5816 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.