Law Office of Michael L. Fell
900 Roosevelt Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 585-9055

Are You Eligible for a Certificate of Rehabilitation in California?

If you have been convicted of a felony in the state of California, or convicted of any sex offender that requires you to register as a sex offender, you know how difficult it is to walk through life with this in your past. You may have trouble getting a job, getting a professional license, finding a place to live, and other issues. Depending on your situation, a Certificate of Rehabilitation may be the answer you need to move forward with your life.

Keep reading to find out more about this option. If you believe you are a good candidate, contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055. We will begin with a free legal consultation during which you can discover what your legal options are and whether or not this is the right choice for you.

The purpose of and eligibility requirements for a Certificate of Rehabilitation

The purpose of a Certificate of Rehabilitation is to provide a person who has committed a felony with a court order that declares they have been rehabilitated. Not everyone qualifies for this option. The requirements include:

  • You are not in custody or on parole or on probation
  • You have not been incarcerated since you were released
  • You have lived continuously in California for at least five years

There are other situations that may prevent you from being eligible but there are other situations that could make you eligible even if you do not meet all three criteria above. For example, those who have been convicted of a felony since May 13, 1943, were not sentenced to federal prison, and have lived continuously in California for five years may also be eligible.

Those who are automatically not eligible to be granted a Certificate of Rehabilitation include:

  • A person convicted of a non-sex related misdemeanor
  • A person convicted of specific types of sex offenses
  • A person serving mandatory life parole
  • A person who was committed to prison with a death sentence
  • A person how is in active military service

The bottom line is that these cases can be complex. To get the best chance of a positive outcome, we highly recommend contacting Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal opinion.

A Certificate of Rehabilitation may not be your only option

If you do not qualify for a Certificate of Rehabilitation, this does not necessarily mean that you have no options available to you. There are several other expungement options including a Governor Pardon, a Factual Innocence Motion, and dismissal after the fact.

If you are living with a criminal conviction and it is preventing you from living your life to your best ability then there may be options for you. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we believe in giving people second chances and fresh starts. Contact us at (949) 585-9055 and we can find the best way forward for you.