Section 1203.41.
Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 1203.41.
in effect(a)
If a defendant is convicted of a felony, the court, in its discretion and in the interest of justice, may order the following relief, subject to the conditions of subdivision (b):
(1)
The court may permit the defendant to withdraw their plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty, or, if the defendant has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty, and, in either case, the court shall dismiss the accusations or information against the defendant and the defendant shall be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which they have been convicted, except as provided in Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code.
(2)
The relief available under this section may be granted only after the lapse of one year following the defendant’s completion of the sentence, if the sentence was imposed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or after the lapse of two years following the defendant’s completion of the sentence, if the sentence was imposed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170 or if the defendant was sentenced to the state prison.
(3)
The relief available under this section may be granted only if the defendant is not on parole or under supervision pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, and is not serving a sentence for, on probation for, or charged with the commission of, an offense.
(4)
The defendant shall be
informed, either orally or in writing, of the provisions of this section and of their right, if any, to petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon at the time of sentencing.
(5)
The defendant may make the application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by a probation officer authorized in writing.
(6)
If the defendant seeks relief under this section for a felony that resulted in a sentence to the state prison, the relief available under this section may only be granted if that felony did not result in a requirement to register as a sex offender pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 290) of Title 9 of Part 1.
(b)
Relief granted pursuant to subdivision (a) is subject to all of the following conditions:
(1)
In any
subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if the accusation or information had not been dismissed.
(2)
The order shall state, and the defendant shall be informed, that the order does not relieve them of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to a direct question contained in a questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by a state or local agency or by a federally recognized tribe, for enrollment as a provider of in-home supportive services and waiver personal care services pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 12300) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or pursuant to Section 14132.95, 14132.952, 14132.956, or 14132.97 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or for contracting with the California State Lottery Commission.
(3)
Dismissal of an accusation or information pursuant to this section does not permit a person to own, possess, or have in their custody or control a firearm or prevent their conviction under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) of Division 9 of Title 4 of Part 6.
(4)
Dismissal of an accusation or information underlying a conviction pursuant to this section does not permit a person prohibited from holding public office as a result of that conviction to hold public office.
(c)
This section applies to any conviction specified in subdivision (a) that occurred before, on, or after January 1, 2021.
(d)
When the court considers a petition for relief under this section, in its discretion and in the interest of justice, an unpaid order of restitution or
restitution fine shall not be grounds for denial of the petition for relief.
(e)
(1)
Relief shall not be granted under this section unless the prosecuting attorney has been given 15 days’ notice of the petition for relief. The probation officer shall notify the prosecuting
attorney when a petition is filed, pursuant to this section.
(2)
It shall be presumed that the prosecuting attorney has received notice if proof of service is filed with the court.
(f)
If, after receiving notice pursuant to subdivision (e), the prosecuting attorney fails to appear and object to a petition for dismissal, the prosecuting attorney shall not move to set aside or otherwise appeal the grant of that
petition.
(g)
Relief granted pursuant to this section does not release the defendant from the terms and conditions of any unexpired criminal protective orders that have been issued by the court pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (i) of Section 136.2, subdivision (j) of Section 273.5, subdivision (l) of Section 368, or subdivision (k) of Section 646.9. These protective orders shall remain in full effect until expiration or until any further order by the court modifying or terminating the order, despite the dismissal of the underlying accusation or information.
(h)
Relief granted pursuant to this section does not affect the authority to receive, or take adverse action based on, criminal history information, including the authority to receive certified court records received or evaluated pursuant to Section 1522, 1568.09, 1569.17, or 1596.871 of the Health and Safety Code, or pursuant to any statutory or regulatory provisions that incorporate the criteria of those sections. Relief granted pursuant to this section does not make eligible a person who is otherwise ineligible under state or federal law or regulation to provide, or receive payment for providing, in-home supportive services and waiver personal care services pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 12300) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or pursuant to Section 14132.95, 14132.952, 14132.956,
or 14132.97 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
References
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 13555.
referencesCal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 12300.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1170.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 290.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 14132.95.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 29800.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 136.2.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 273.5.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 368.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 646.9.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1522.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026