Clearing your record in Marin County

Here's how to get record clearance in Marin County

1. On the Marin website, fill out a form that will ask you a few questions about yourself and your record

   Contacting the Public Defender is safe and confidential. They are not part of law enforcement and will not share your information with anyone. We know it can be difficult to talk about your conviction history, but the Public Defender will only use this information to move your record clearance application forward.

2. The Public Defender will contact you by phone or email

   The Public Defender will contact you within 3-6 weeks. If you do not hear back from the Public Defender within 3-6 weeks, reach back out to them to check on your case’s progress. They will also screen you to determine whether you meet their income requirement. If you do not, you can contact legal aid organizations that serve the Marin area. The Public Defender will start the process of getting your full CA DOJ RAP sheet to see all your cases. They may also ask you to submit a personal statement or letters of recommendation.

3. Work with The Public Defender to complete your request

   If you are eligible, the public defender will assist you and file a petition on your behalf with the Court to clear your record. You may have to go to court, but the attorney will let you know if have to attend the court hearing. Lastly, the attorney will update you with the final decision and mail you official documents.

4. Submit application and fees to the court and receive decision

   In Marin County, if your petition is accepted, you may need to pay fees to the court per petition in order to have your record fully cleared, but most folks are eligible for a fee waiver. The Public Defender can help you apply for a fee waiver if you meet the requirements.

5. Wait 90 days for the court and Department of Justice (DOJ) record to be updated

   If your petition is accepted, you will have to wait at least 90 days for your record to be fully cleared by both local courts and the California Department of Justice (DOJ). If you want to see if your record has been fully updated, you will have to request a copy of your CA DOJ RAP sheet on your own. You can also read more about what happens after clearance.