This is general information, not legal advice
Every case is different. The steps and eligibility rules come from the California courts, and the official self-help pages are the place to confirm what applies to you. If your situation is complicated, talk with a lawyer or a legal aid organization.
Why it matters for work
CityWay built its August 2026 job fair around the barriers that stop people before an interview, and an old record was one of them. A mobile court operated on site so neighbors could begin clearing a record the same day they applied for work.
Where to start
- Read the California courts' free self-help section, "Clean your record," at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. It explains the main options and the forms involved.
- Get a copy of your record and case numbers. You'll need to know which court handled each case. For San Bernardino County cases, that's the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino.
- Check eligibility for each case separately. The rules depend on the type of offense, the sentence, and whether probation or jail time was completed.
- File in the county where the case was handled, and keep copies of everything you file.
Getting help in person
- Watch CityWay's Events page for future events. If a mobile court or record-clearing help is part of the next one, it will be listed there.
- Inland SoCal 211 can connect you with legal aid and reentry services in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.