Clearing your record in Solano County

Here's how to get record clearance in Solano County

1. On the Solano County website, answer a few questions about yourself and your Solano 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 weeks and ask you to fill out a short application to start the process. If you do not hear back from the Public Defender within 3 weeks, reach back out to them to check on your case’s progress. The public defender will review local records to identify cases where you are eligible for relief. They may also ask you to submit a personal statement or letters of recommendation.

3. Work with The Public Defender to complete your request and submit application

   If you are eligible, public defender staff will work with you to prepare a petition and file it in court to clear your record. Your public defender will update you with the final decision and official documents. You may have to go to court, but the public defender will let you know if you have to attend the court hearing.

4. Receive decision and pay fees to the court if accepted

   In Solano County, if your petition is accepted, you’ll need to pay $250 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 after the petition was granted for changes to be reflected on your DOJ RAP sheet. If you want to see if your record has been fully updated, you can get a copy of your CA DOJ RAP sheet or your local court records by going to the courthouse. If you are still having trouble with cases showing up, contact the public defender for assistance. You can also read more about what happens after clearance.