seal and destroy arrest record

[maxxiimm]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? San Francisco, CA

I was arrested but charges were dropped. How do I get my arrest record sealed and destroyed? Thanks.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[CdwJava]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? San Francisco, CA

I was arrested but charges were dropped. How do I get my arrest record sealed and destroyed? Thanks.

You first have to make the request to the prosecuting agency and the involved law enforcement agency holding the record. Effectively you have to show factual innocence. If the charges were dropped for lack of evidence or some other thing, but not dropped because the investigation determined you did not do it, then don't expect it to happen. From there you will have to go to court and try to convince a judge that you were factually innocent.

The process is described in PC851.8:

CA Codes (pen:833-851.90)

This does not happen with regularity. If the charge was based upon tangible facts, then don't expect it to be destroyed.

- Carl