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California Vehicle Code VC 23120 – Temple Width of Glasses

Posted by on May 4, 2012

23120. No person shall operate a motor vehicle while wearing glasses having a temple width of one-half inch or more if any part of such temple extends below the horizontal center of the lens so as to interfere with lateral vision.

Added Ch. 531, Stats. 1959. Effective September 18, 1959.

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Note: Laws change frequently and thus the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice. To be certain, contact a criminal defense attorney for a legal assistance.
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California Vehicle Code VC 21211 – Obstruction of Bikeways or Bicycle Paths or Trails

Posted by on May 4, 2012

California Vehicle Code VC 21211 – Obstruction of Bikeways or Bicycle Paths or Trails

21211. (a) No person may stop, stand, sit, or loiter upon any class I bikeway, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public or private bicycle path or trail, if the stopping, standing, sitting, or loitering impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist.

(b) No person may place or park any bicycle, vehicle, or any other object upon any bikeway or bicycle path or trail, as specified in subdivision (a), which impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist unless the placement or parking is necessary for safe operation or is otherwise in compliance with the law.

(c) This section does not apply to drivers or owners of utility or public utility vehicles, as provided in Section 22512.

(d) This section does not apply to owners or drivers of vehicles who make brief stops while engaged in the delivery of newspapers to customers along the person’s route.

(e) This section does not apply to the driver or owner of a rubbish or garbage truck while actually engaged in the collection of rubbish or garbage within a business or residence district if the front turn signal lamps at each side of the vehicle are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side of the vehicle are being flashed simultaneously.

(f) This section does not apply to the driver or owner of a tow vehicle while actually engaged in the towing of a vehicle if the front turn signal lamps at each side of the vehicle are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side of the vehicle are being flashed simultaneously.

Amended Ch. 517, Stats. 1993. Effective January 1, 1994.
Amended Sec. 21, Ch. 1007, Stats. 1999. Effective January 1, 2000.
Amended Sec. 7, Ch. 127, Stats. 2001. Effective July 30, 2001.

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California DUI Penalties Under 21 – DMV

Posted by on May 4, 2012

California DUI Penalties Under 21 – DMV

California has what is called a “Zero Tolerance” law for drivers under 21 who are arrested for DUI. This means that if there is even a .01% blood-alcohol concentration, the DMV will take the person’s driver’s license for one year. They will not be able to get their license back from the DMV until they complete a DUI education class.

If it is a first offense, and the under-21 driver has no similar convictions in their past, and the driver is over the age of 18 at the time of the arrest, they may be allowed to participate in the 12-hour educational class. However, if all of these requirements are not met, a more intense and costly 3-month course may be required in order to regain driving privileges.

This is not the end of the story, however. Anyone who is under 21, and accused of DUI, will still have to answer to charges in criminal court.

California Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you or someone you care about is charged with a DUI, please contact a California DUI lawyer in your area for advice. Many DUI cases can be successfully defended. Before you even think about pleading guilty, talk to someone who knows about this area of law.

ABC Test

Posted by on May 4, 2012

ABC Test

Drivers suspected of driving under the influence in California often take the ABC Test or another field sobriety test before being arrested. Drivers often hope that passing this “test” will help them avoid a drunk driving arrest, but unfortunately it serves only to justify an arrest and generate evidence for a court case. However, field sobriety test evidence such as the ABC Test can be aggressively challenged. A skilled California DUI lawyer from The Kavinoky Law Firm can challenge the results of the ABC Test as part of a strategic defense plan.

When administering the ABC Test, a police officer directs the driver to write or recite the alphabet while standing with feet together and arms down. While the test is in progress, the officer is watching for signs of intoxication that include starting the test too soon, an inability to follow directions, slurred speech, or an inability to write or recite the alphabet correctly.

Police and prosecutors may believe that this test is valid because, after all, everyone knows their ABCs, but in reality, anyone would be nervous after being forced from a car along a busy street or highway, and mistakes aren’t uncommon under these circumstances. The test isn’t given under the best of conditions – there are cars speeding by and too many distractions to count. The ABC Test doesn’t even really qualify as a test, because the driver is doomed to fail regardless of mental or physical condition.

There are many conditions unrelated to alcohol intoxication that might cause a driver to perform poorly on the ABC Test, including illness, motor skill impairments, and nervousness. An experienced California drunk driving attorney will collect a driver’s full medical history to determine whether reasons other than alcohol impairment may have caused a driver to “fail” the ABC Test.

The ABC Test is an unreliable gauge of the mental and physical impairment caused by alcohol that it isn’t even standardized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Because the NHTSA doesn’t recognize the ABC Test, it carries less evidentiary weight in court than a Standardized field sobriety test. The ABC Test has no objective scoring system, and only the officer’s opinion determines whether the driver “passes” or “fails.”

Many drivers fear there’s no point in fighting a DUI / DWI charge because they mistakenly believe that “failing” a field sobriety test means a surefire conviction. However, that’s simply not true. The results of field sobriety tests such as the ABC Test can be successfully challenged in court.

A skilled defense attorney will question the arresting officer’s conclusions during cross-examination and bring out points that work in the driver’s favor. A California DUI lawyer experienced in fighting DUI / DWI charges will dismantle the officer’s testimony as part of a strategic defense plan. Through careful cross-examination, a savvy drunk driving defense attorney can demonstrate that the results could just as easily show that the driver was not impaired.

California Criminal Law – Boating Under the Influence (BUI)

Posted by on May 4, 2012

Boating is an activity that many people engage in for fun and recreation. It’s the kind of activity people associate with summer days at the beach or lake. People also associate alcohol with summer days by the waterfront. The problem is that when alcohol and boating mix, people can get injured. Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense that carries serious punishment for guilty offenders. The penalties include jail time, alcohol education classes, fines, and other penalties. A qualified California DUI / DWI attorney is capable of handling cases involving boating under the influence.

The California Harbors and Navigation Code provides the laws regarding boating under the influence. The code defines being under the influence as having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent for a recreational vessel and .04 percent for a commercial craft. The statute sets a zero-tolerance for craft such as aquaplanes and water skis. The zero-tolerance policy means that any trace of alcohol is illegal when operating these craft.

Boating under the influence can be many times more dangerous than driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. People drive every day and are well practiced at it. When it comes to boating however, many people might drive a boat a couple times a year. Such a person is far from an expert boat driver. For that same person to be drunk and boating is extremely dangerous.

Another important distinction between driving and boating is that driving takes place most commonly on roads that are fairly wide and stable. Boating takes place out in the ocean where the tides and winds can change in an instant. If a person is drunk, they will not be fast enough to respond properly to the changing circumstances. In fact, statistics from the United States Coast Guard show that in boating deaths involving alcohol use, over half the victims capsized their own boats and/or fell overboard.

Furthermore, boats, by their very nature, are inferior to cars in their ability to steer and to brake. Given that the typical boat operator spends only a few days a year on the water, they are typically not expert at handling the different problems that boaters encounter from time to time. When the hot sun and alcohol have had their say, an impaired person at the helm of a boat may be in bad shape and will be putting everyone aboard and nearby in danger.

As in cases of driving a car under the influence, the potential penalties for boating under the influence are very harsh. It is important to seek the help of a qualified criminal defense attorney. A California attorney experienced in defending BUI / BWI cases can launch an aggressive defense to the charges, and keep any negative consequences to a minimum.

California Vehicle Code VC 13353 – Refusal of Chemical Test

Posted by on May 4, 2012

California Vehicle Code VC 13353 – Refusal of Chemical Test

13353. (a) If a person refuses the officer’s request to submit to, or fails to complete, a chemical test or tests pursuant to Section 23612, upon receipt of the officer’s sworn statement that the officer had reasonable cause to believe the person had been driving a motor vehicle in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, and that the person had refused to submit to, or did not complete, the test or tests after being requested by the officer, the department shall do one of the following:

Suspend the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year.
Revoke the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of two years if the refusal occurred within 10 years of either (A) a separate violation of Section 23103 as specified in Section 23103.5, or of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, or of Section 191.5 or paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 of the Penal Code, that resulted in a conviction, or (B) a suspension or revocation of the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle pursuant to this section or Section 13353.2 for an offense that occurred on a separate occasion.
Revoke the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of three years if the refusal occurred within 10 years of any of the following:
1. Two or more separate violations of Section 23103 as specified in Section 23103.5, or of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, or of Section 191.5 or paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 of the Penal Code, or any combination thereof, that resulted in convictions.
2. Two or more suspensions or revocations of the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle pursuant to this section or Section 13353.2 for offenses that occurred on separate occasions.
3. Any combination of two or more of those convictions or administrative suspensions or revocations.
  The officer’s sworn statement shall be submitted pursuant to Section 13380 on a form furnished or approved by the department. The suspension or revocation shall not become effective until 30 days after the giving of written notice thereof, or until the end of any stay of the suspension or revocation, as provided for in Section 13558.
4. For the purposes of this section, a conviction of any offense in any state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Dominion of Canada that, if committed in this state, would be a violation of Section 23103, as specified in Section 23103.5, or Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, or Section 191.5 or paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 of the Penal Code, is a conviction of that particular section of the Vehicle Code or Penal Code.

(b) If a person on more than one occasion in separate incidents refuses the officer’s request to submit to, or fails to complete, a chemical test or tests pursuant to Section 23612 while driving a motor vehicle, upon the receipt of the officer’s sworn statement that the officer had reasonable cause to believe the person had been driving a motor vehicle in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153, the department shall disqualify the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the rest of his or her lifetime.

(c) The notice of the order of suspension or revocation under this section shall be served on the person by a peace officer pursuant to Section 23612. The notice of the order of suspension or revocation shall be on a form provided by the department. If the notice of the order of suspension or revocation has not been served by the peace officer pursuant to Section 23612, the department immediately shall notify the person in writing of the action taken. The peace officer who serves the notice, or the department, if applicable, also shall provide, if the officer or department, as the case may be, determines that it is necessary to do so, the person with the appropriate non-English notice developed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 14100.

(d) Upon the receipt of the officer’s sworn statement, the department shall review the record. For purposes of this section, the scope of the administrative review shall cover all of the following issues:

Whether the peace officer had reasonable cause to believe the person had been driving a motor vehicle in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153.
Whether the person was placed under arrest.
Whether the person refused to submit to, or did not complete, the test or tests after being requested by a peace officer.
Whether, except for a person described in subdivision (a) of Section 23612 who is incapable of refusing, the person had been told that his or her driving privilege would be suspended or revoked if he or she refused to submit to, or did not complete, the test or tests.

(e) The person may request an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 13558. Except as provided in subdivision (e) of Section 13558, the request for an administrative hearing does not stay the order of suspension or revocation.

(f) The suspension or revocation imposed under this section shall run concurrently with any restriction, suspension, or revocation imposed under Section 13352, 13352.4, or 13352.5 that resulted from the same arrest.

(g) This section shall become operative on September 20, 2005.

Amended Sec. 7.5, Ch. 952, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005. Operative September 20, 2005.
The 2005 amendment added the italicized material.

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California Vehicle Code VC 13362 – Surrender of License Erroneously Issued

Posted by on May 4, 2012

California Vehicle Code VC 13362 – Surrender of License Erroneously Issued

13362. The department may require the surrender to it of any driver’s license which has been issued erroneously or which contains any erroneous or false statement, or which does not contain any notation required by law or by the department. In the event a licensee does not surrender the license upon proper demand, the department may suspend the licensee’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle. The suspension shall continue until the correction of the license by the department or until issuance of another license or temporary license in lieu thereof.

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California Vehicle Code VC 13375 – Definition of Conviction

Posted by on May 4, 2012

California Vehicle Code VC 13375 – Definition of Conviction

13375. For the purpose of this article, any plea or verdict of guilty, plea of nolo contendere, or court finding of guilt in a trial without a jury, or forfeiture of bail, is deemed a conviction, notwithstanding subsequent action under Section 1203.4 or 1203.4a of the Penal Code allowing withdrawal of the plea of guilty and entering a plea of not guilty, setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation or information.

Added Ch. 1360, Stats. 1990. Effective January 1, 1991.

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California Vehicle Code VC 23594 – Impoundment of Vehicles

Posted by on May 4, 2012

California Vehicle Code VC 23594 – Impoundment of Vehicles

223594. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the interest of any registered owner of a motor vehicle that has been used in the commission of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153 for which the owner was convicted, is subject to impoundment as provided in this section. Upon conviction, the court may order the vehicle impounded at the registered owner’s expense for not less than one nor more than 30 days.

If the offense occurred within five years of a prior offense which resulted in conviction of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153, the prior conviction shall also be charged in the accusatory pleading and if admitted or found to be true by the jury upon a jury trial or by the court upon a court trial, the court shall, except in an unusual case where the interests of justice would best be served by not ordering impoundment, order the vehicle impounded at the registered owner’s expense for not less than one nor more than 30 days.

If the offense occurred within five years of two or more prior offenses which resulted in convictions of violations of Section 23152 or 23153, the prior convictions shall also be charged in the accusatory pleading and if admitted or found to be true by the jury upon a jury trial or by the court upon a court trial, the court shall, except in an unusual case where the interests of justice would best be served by not ordering impoundment, order the vehicle impounded at the registered owner’s expense for not less than one nor more than 90 days.

For the purposes of this section, the court may consider in the interests of justice factors such as whether impoundment of the vehicle would result in a loss of employment of the offender or the offender’s family, impair the ability of the offender or the offender’s family to attend school or obtain medical care, result in the loss of the vehicle because of inability to pay impoundment fees, or unfairly infringe upon community property rights or any other facts the court finds relevant. When no impoundment is ordered in an unusual case pursuant to this section, the court shall specify on the record and shall enter in the minutes the circumstances indicating that the interests of justice would best be served by that disposition.

(b) No vehicle which may be lawfully driven on the highway with a class C or class M driver’s license, as specified in Section 12804.9, is subject to impoundment under this section if there is a community property interest in the vehicle owned by a person other than the defendant and the vehicle is the sole vehicle available to the defendant’s immediate family which may be operated on the highway with a class C or class M driver’s license.

Added Sec. 84, Ch. 118, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999. Operative July 1, 1999.

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Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon

Posted by on May 4, 2012

Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon

Felony convictions where a term in state prison is imposed require professional attention by a lawyer skilled in expungements.

There are two ways that someone sentenced to state prison can obtain relief:

the Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon, and
the Direct Application for Pardon.

A full pardon, whether direct or through rehabilitation proceedings, restores all of the rights and privileges of which the person was deprived by reason of the conviction, with some exceptions. In addition, a pardon relieves a sex offender of the duty to register under Penal Code Section 290. A pardon does not automatically restore any license, permit, or certificate that had been taken as the result of the conviction.

A Governor’s pardon is granted only to individuals who have demonstrated a high standard of constructive behavior following conviction for a felony, or in some cases, for certain specified misdemeanor sex offenses. Obtaining a pardon is a distinct achievement based upon proof of a useful, productive, and law-abiding life following conviction.

Pardon applications will not be considered unless an applicant has been discharged from probation or parole for at least ten years and has not engaged in further criminal activity during that period. While the receipt of a Certificate of Rehabilitation will be considered in evaluating a pardon application, it is but one factor and is not the sole determinant. The ten-year rule may be waived in truly exceptional circumstances, if the applicant can demonstrate an earlier, specific need for the pardon.

Once the threshold criteria has been met, the application will be reviewed to determine whether the applicant has met the standards set forth in California Penal Code section 4852.05, which states, "During the period of rehabilitation, the person shall live an honest and upright life, shall conduct himself or herself with sobriety and industry, shall exhibit a good moral character, and shall conform to and obey the laws of the land."

Certificate of Rehabilitation

Certificates of Rehabilitation are first sought from the trial court. If a certificate issues, the trial court recommends that the governor grant a pardon. The governor has discretion to grant or deny a pardon. The pardon may be granted without further investigation, except that a person twice convicted of felonies must also have the recommendation of a majority of the supreme court.

In order to obtain a Certificate of Rehabilitation, the applicant must be a California resident for at least three years before the filing of the petition. There is a period of rehabilitation that is required before filing, during which the person must lead an honest life, and be free from convictions. The amount of time varies, depending upon the underlying criminal conviction.

Dismissal of the underlying charges pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4 is not required before seeking a Certificate of Rehabilitation, so long as the person served a prison sentence. If probation was imposed instead of a prison sentence, dismissal must first be obtained, and the defendant must be free from felony probation.

A Certificate of Rehabilitation is a court order, which declares that a person who has been convicted of a felony is rehabilitated. If a petition for a Certificate of Rehabilitation is granted, it is forwarded to the Governor by the granting court and constitutes an application for a pardon.

The laws pertaining to the Certificate of Rehabilitation can be found in California Penal Code sections 4852.01 to 4852.21.

Generally, a person who has been convicted in California of a felony, or a misdemeanor sex offense specified in California Penal Code section 290, the accusatory pleading of which has been dismissed pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4, may apply to the superior court in his or her county of residence for a Certificate of Rehabilitation, provided that he or she meets behavioral requirements and the applicable period of rehabilitation. (California Penal Code section 4852.06.)

An exception to this rule involves individuals convicted of the following Penal Code sections: 286(c), 288, 288a(c), 288.5, and 289(j). Effective January 1, 1998, AB 729 amended Penal Code sections 1203.4 and 4852.01 to prohibit these specified sex offenders from obtaining a Certificate of Rehabilitation. Such individuals are no longer eligible to receive a Certificate of Rehabilitation.

The granting of a Certificate of Rehabilitation relieves some offenders from the sexual offender registration requirement of Penal Code section 290. (See California Penal Code section 290.5 for a list of persons not eligible for relief from registration.) To determine your 290 registration status, contact an attorney that knows the law in this specialized area.

Certificate of Rehabilitation & Pardon

Felony convictions where a term in state prison is imposed require professional attention by a lawyer skilled in expungements. There are two ways that someone sentenced to state prison can obtain relief:(1) the Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon, and(2) the Direct Application for Pardon.

Who may apply?

Persons who are eligible to apply for a Certificate of Rehabilitation include those who:

Were convicted of a felony and served the sentence in a California state prison; and
Were discharged on completion of the term or released on parole prior to May 13, 1943; and
Have not been incarcerated in a state penal institution since release; and
Present satisfactory evidence of three years residence in California immediately prior to the filing of the petition.

Were convicted of a felony, or a misdemeanor sex offense specified in Penal Code section 290, the accusatory pleading of which was dismissed pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4; and
Have been discharged or released from custody on probation; and
Have not been incarcerated in any penal institution, jail or agency since the dismissal of the accusatory pleading; and
Are not on probation for the commission of any other felony; and
Present satisfactory evidence of five years residence in California immediately prior to the filing of the petition.

Were convicted of a felony on or after May 13, 1943; and
Were sentenced to state prison or other institution or agency; and
Were discharged from custody or released on parole; and
Present satisfactory evidence of five years residence in California immediately prior to the filing of the petition.

Persons who are INELIGIBLE to apply for a Certificate of Rehabilitation include:

Those who do not meet the above requirements; or
Those who were convicted only of misdemeanors (except those convicted of a misdemeanor sex offense specified in Penal Code section 290, which was dismissed pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4); or
Those who were convicted of Penal Code sections 286(c), 288, 288a(c), 288.5, or 289(j); or
Those who are serving a mandatory life parole; or
Those committed to prison under a death sentence; or
Those persons in the military service.

When to apply?

Persons eligible to petition for a Certificate of Rehabilitation may file the petition once the period of rehabilitation has passed. The period of rehabilitation begins to run upon the discharge of the petitioner from incarceration due to the completion of the term, or upon release on probation or parole.

The period of rehabilitation constitutes five years residence in California, PLUS:

Four years in the case of persons convicted of violation of California Penal Code sections 187, 209, 219, 4500, or 12310, or Military and Veterans Code section 1672(a), or of committing any other offense which carries a life sentence; or
Five years in the case of any person convicted of any offense or attempted offense for which sex offender registration is required pursuant to P.C. 290, except for convictions for violations of subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of Section 311.2, or of Section 311.3, 311.10, or 314. For those convictions, two years shall be added to the five years imposed by this section.
Two years in the case of any persons convicted of any offense not listed above and which does not carry a life sentence; or
The number of additional years ordered by the trial court hearing the application for the Certificate of Rehabilitation in the case of a person serving consecutive sentences.

Rescission of Certificate of Rehabilitation

A district attorney in either the county of conviction or the county of residence may petition the superior court to rescind a certificate, if it was granted for any offense specified in California Penal Code section 290.

Procedures for Applying

The petition must be filed in the superior court of the petitioner’s current county of residence. (California Penal Code section 4852.06.) The petitioner is required to provide notice of their filing to the district attorney in their county of residence, as well as to the district attorney of each county in which the petitioner was convicted of a felony, and to the Governor’s office.

All felony convictions, or misdemeanor sex offenses specified in Penal Code section 290, for which the accusatory pleading was dismissed pursuant to California Penal Code section 1203.4, should be included. This notice must indicate the date and time of the hearing and must be sent to the district attorneys at least 30 days before the hearing.

Each person who is eligible to initiate the Certificate of Rehabilitation proceedings is entitled to receive assistance in processing the petition from all rehabilitative agencies, including adult probation officers of the county, and state parole agents; and, in the case of persons under the age of 30, assistance can be obtained from the Youth Authority. During the court proceedings, the petitioner may be represented by counsel of his or her own choosing.

Once a petition is filed, the court will schedule a hearing to consider the petition. Prior to the hearing, the court may require an investigation by the district attorney of the county of residence of any and all matters pertaining to the petitioner.

At the hearing, the court may require testimony and the production of records and reports pertaining to the petitioner, including information about the conviction offense, and his or her conduct both while incarcerated and since release on probation or parole.

If, after the hearing, the court finds that the petitioner has demonstrated rehabilitation and fitness to exercise all political and civil rights, the court may make an order declaring that the petitioner is rehabilitated. A certified copy of the Certificate of Rehabilitation is then transmitted to the Governor and becomes an application for a pardon.

Upon receipt of the application, the Governor may request that the Board of Prison Terms conduct a further investigation. Following a review, the Governor may then grant the pardon. If the petitioner has been convicted of more than one felony in separate proceedings, the California Supreme Court must also approve the grant of a pardon.

Direct Pardon Application

Direct pardons refer to requests for pardon made directly to the Governor. The governor has total and complete discretion to grant or deny a pardon. The pardon may be granted without further investigation, except that a person twice convicted of felonies must also have the recommendation of a majority of the supreme court to obtain a pardon.

A direct pardon is usually sought by persons who are not eligible for a certificate of rehabilitation, such as nonresidents and misdemeanants.

Any person who has been convicted in California of a felony, or a misdemeanor sex offense specified in Penal Code section 290, the accusatory pleading of which has been dismissed pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4, may apply to the Governor for a pardon. Applications for pardons may be made in one of two ways: either by way of an application for a Certificate of Rehabilitation, or through a direct traditional pardon application. The procedure utilized will depend on the circumstances of the applicant, and it is important to consult with a lawyer to determine which is appropriate in any given case.

Once an application for a pardon is filed under either procedure, the Governor reviews the case. The Governor has complete discretion in deciding whether to grant a pardon, and a pardon is not granted to every person who applies.

Pardon investigations are conducted for the Governor by the California Board of Prison Terms, Investigations Division.

The traditional pardon procedure is available to those persons who are ineligible to petition for a Certificate of Rehabilitation. This procedure is used primarily, although not exclusively, by California ex-felons who reside out-of-state and are therefore unable to satisfy the residency requirement. The traditional pardon procedure is also available to those individuals who have convictions for Penal Code sections 286(c), 288, 288a(c), 288.5, and 289(j). The traditional pardon procedure is covered by California Penal Code sections 4800-4813.

Applicants for a traditional pardon must write directly to the Governor’s Office. It is highly recommended that a pardon applicant have the services of an experienced lawyer to ensure that all of the procedural requirements are met, and to increase the chances of success. At a minimum, the letter should include the following:

Why a pardon is desired or needed;
Date and circumstances of all felony offenses of which the applicant was convicted;
Dates the applicant was received in prison and released from custody or placed on probation;
Name of the applicant, including any aliases; date of conviction; county and case number of conviction, if known; prison number; name of parole agent; current address and telephone number; and
A brief, general statement of employment and activities since conviction or release from custody.

Upon receipt of the letter, the Governor’s Legal Affairs staff will review the information. After the review, the Legal Affairs Office may send the Application for Executive Clemency and Notice of Intention to Apply for Executive Clemency forms to the applicant.

The applicant should complete the Application for Executive Clemency form and have it notarized. In addition, the Notice of Intention to Apply for Executive Clemency should be served on the District Attorney of each county in which the applicant was convicted of a felony, at least ten days prior to the application.

The Acknowledgment of Receipt portion of the notice form must be completed and signed by the District Attorney. Both the application and the completed notice must then be submitted to the Governor’s Office, along with a full statement of any compensation paid to any person for assisting in the procurement of a pardon.

Once the formal application is returned, the Governor refers it to the Board of Prison Terms for investigation. After the investigation, the case is presented to the Executive Board for a decision as to whether to recommend to the Governor that a pardon be granted. The applicant is notified of when the Board will be considering his or her case, and he or she is given the opportunity to forward any additional information, if desired. Pardon applicants do not attend the pardon consideration meeting. Following the meeting, the application, investigation report, and the Board’s recommendation are sent to the Governor. Notification of the meeting result is also sent to the applicant.

The Governor then reviews all of the information and decides whether to grant a pardon. If the applicant has been convicted of more than one felony in separate proceedings, the California Supreme Court must also approve the grant of a pardon.

There is no requirement that the Governor issue a pardon to an applicant, and the length of time needed for the completion of the pardon process cannot be predicted.

Effect of a Pardon

When a Certificate of Rehabilitation or pardon is granted, the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are notified. These agencies’ records are then updated to show that a Certificate of Rehabilitation or a pardon has been granted in regard to the conviction.

A pardon is also filed with the Secretary of State, reported to the Legislature, and becomes a matter of public record. Although no effort is made to publicize the pardon application or issuance, there is no guarantee that the issuance of a pardon to a particular person will not become known to the public.

Restoration of Rights

The granting of a pardon entitles the applicant to exercise additional civil and political rights of citizenship. The most frequent reasons people apply for a pardon are for personal satisfaction, for licensing or bonding purposes, and to restore firearms privileges. Another frequent reason is to enhance employment opportunities, even when no legal disability exists.

A pardon does not seal or expunge the record of the conviction. (California Penal Code section 4852.17.) Prior convictions may be considered after the granting of a pardon, if the person is subsequently convicted of a new offense.

A person who has been pardoned cannot state that he or she has no record of arrests or convictions. The person can state that he or she has been convicted and has been pardoned.

An ex-felon becomes eligible to vote after being terminated from probation or discharged from parole. (California Constitution, article 11, section 4.) A pardon is not necessary to be eligible to vote.

A person who receives a pardon may serve on a trial jury.(California Code of Civil Procedure section 203(a)(5) and California Penal Code section 4852.17.)

An ex-felon who receives a full and unconditional pardon can be considered for an appointment to a peace officer position as a county probation officer or state parole agent, but cannot hold other peace officer positions. (California Government Code section 1029.)

A person convicted of a felony cannot own, possess, or have access to any type of firearm, including a rifle or shotgun. (California Penal Code section 12021.) However, if a full and unconditional pardon is granted by the Governor, the person pardoned may own and possess any type of weapon that may lawfully be possessed and owned by other citizens in California. The Governor cannot restore firearms rights to a person who has been convicted of any offense which involved the use of a dangerous weapon.

Pardons for out-of-state residents must specifically state that rights pertaining to firearms are restored. A California pardon does not necessarily permit the possession of weapons under the laws of another state or the federal government. The law pertaining to the restoration of rights to own and possess firearms can be found in California Penal Code section 4854.

If you have not obtained a pardon restoring your firearms rights, and you have access to a firearm of any type, you are in violation of the law. For example, having a firearm registered to a spouse, but readily available to you in your place of residence, is a violation.

The granting of a pardon does not prevent some licensing agencies from considering the conviction that has been pardoned in its determination of whether a license to practice certain professions should be granted or restored. The law pertaining to the effect of a full pardon on licensing boards can be found in California Penal Code section 4853.

A California pardon does not apply to convictions suffered in another jurisdiction. A person convicted in another state or in a federal court must apply for a pardon to the other state or the federal government. It is best to consult with a lawyer familiar with pardons in such a case.

For more information about expungement, please feel free to contact attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm.