Sealing Arrest Record Vs. Detention Certificate | Ridley Defense (2024)

How Ridley Defense Can Help Clean Up Your Arrest Record

Many people who are arrested may not realize that there is relief granted under California law that allows them to clean up their arrest records. The most common relief involves sealing your arrest record or having a detention certificate issued by law enforcement. There are limitations under both forms of relief, including that in order to seal your arrest record the arrest must have occurred on or after January 1, 2018.

At Ridley Defense, we can help you decide which form of relief is appropriate based on the circ*mstances of your case. In many cases, a Certificate of Detention may be the fastest way to achieve your goals.

Our experienced attorneys will walk you through the process, helping you to understand your rights. Contact our offices at (805) 208-1866 to discuss your case.

What Is the Difference Between Sealing Arrest Record and a Certificate of Detention?

The difference between an arrest and a detention is important because you do not have to disclose detentions, but in many cases, you must disclose an arrest.

If you were arrested and released, but no charges were subsequently filed, then your arrest was actually only a detention. If your arrest was a detention, then the law enforcement agency that detained and released you must issue a Certificate of Detention, which deletes the record of the arrest (Penal Code Section 849.5).

A Certificate of Detention (Penal Code Section 851.6) may be the best and fastest remedy to “clean up” your arrest record. If you have received a Certificate of Detention or were released without charges, contact our firm to discuss your situation and find out what legal options are available to you.

Who Is Eligible for Sealing An Arrest Record?

A motion to seal an arrest record is accomplished through a petition filed with the court (Penal Code Section 851.91.) You may be eligible for relief if:

  • The statute of limitations has run, and no accusatory pleading has been filed.
  • An accusatory pleading was filed, but no conviction occurred; the charge has been dismissed and may not be refiled.
  • No conviction occurred, and you were acquitted.
  • A conviction occurred but has been vacated or reversed on appeal, and all appellate remedies have been exhausted.

When Am I Not Eligible to Seal My Arrest Record?

If any of the following circ*mstances apply to you, you might not be eligible to seal your arrest record:

  • You could still be charged with an offense related to the arrest (this applies if the statute of limitations for the offense has not run out, which means that new charges could still be filed against you).
  • The arrest charges were murder or another crime with no statute of limitations (unless you were acquitted or found factually innocent).
  • You intentionally evaded efforts to prosecute the case.

Under What Circ*mstances Will an Arrest Record Be Sealed?

An arrest record can be sealed in the interest of justice. For certain offenses, such as domestic violence, an arrest record cannot be sealed unless it is considered to be in the interest of justice.

In determining whether the interests of justice would be served by sealing an arrest record, the court may consider:

  • The hardship on the petitioner created by the arrest
  • The petitioner’s good character
  • Evidence related to the arrest
  • The conviction record of the petitioner

Your arrest record is not sealed automatically, and can only be done through a petition filed with the court. If you were convicted of a crime and it was not vacated or reversed, contact our office to discuss whether you would be eligible for an expungement.

Contact Ridley Defense for Trusted Legal Help

California law provides several forms of relief for people looking to clean up their arrest records. Sealing your arrest record or having your arrest deemed a detention may help you secure gainful employment, housing, and a professional license.

If you have been arrested and are seeking to have your record sealed, contact our office today. Our attorneys can help you understand your legal options, including requesting a Certificate of Detention or filing a petition with the court to seal your arrest record. Contact our office at (805) 208-1866 to discuss how to clean up your criminal record.

Sealing Arrest Record Vs. Detention Certificate | Ridley Defense (2024)

FAQs

Is a detention certificate a good thing? ›

Once you have your detention certificate, you can enjoy the benefits of life and do not need to disclose your arrest to anyone, as you await the court to approve your petition to have your record sealed.

Can you seal arrest record in California? ›

You may request that a court seal your arrest records or criminal records. If a judge agrees with your request, the records will no longer be available to the public. However, some government agencies will still be able to see your sealed record. If the order is granted, the judge will use the CR-410 order form.

What does it mean when it says detention only? ›

In any case in which a person is arrested and released and no accusatory pleading is filed charging him with an offense, any record of arrest of the person shall include a record of release. Thereafter, the arrest shall not be deemed an arrest, but a detention only. (Added by Stats.

Does a detention go on your record in California? ›

A detention is the lowest form of police conduct that woulds appear on your record. The only way to get it off is to request a finding of factual innocence from the police agency involved. They routinely deny them.

What are the positives of detention? ›

These include: Increased motivation to improve behavior. Students who are frequently disciplined may be more motivated to improve their behavior in order to avoid further punishment. Increased opportunities for academic support.

Do sealed records show up on background checks in California? ›

An expunged arrest is removed completely from the public record. Sealing court records generally only applies to crimes committed by juveniles. The arrest and conviction will remain on the person's record but can only be seen by court order. Sealed records should not turn up in a criminal background check.

What does sealing a record mean in California? ›

In California, sealing a criminal record, as codified in Penal Code §851.91, Penal Code §851.8, and the new Penal Code 851.87 refers to automatic removal and destruction of a person's arrest record…"as a matter of right." This means that the person was exonerated and deemed factually innocent in court.

What is the meaning of a detention certificate? ›

If your arrest was a detention, then the law enforcement agency that detained and released you must issue a Certificate of Detention, which deletes the record of the arrest (Penal Code Section 849.5).

Can you be handcuffed while being detained? ›

This is called an investigative detention. During an investigative detention, the suspect is not free to leave, may be handcuffed for officer safety, and may even be frisked (briefly searched) for weapons.

Does detention mean jail? ›

A detainment is when law enforcement holds an individual for a short time. Detentions can occur in various contexts, including traffic stops or street encounters. If police detain you, they believe you committed a crime, but they don't have enough evidence to arrest you.

Does detention ruin your record? ›

Generally, detentions are not recorded on your permanent high school record, also known as your transcript. Transcripts typically include your academic performance, such as courses taken and grades achieved, and do not always contain information about minor disciplinary actions like detentions.

Do detentions show up on your transcript? ›

In some cases, transcripts will include information related to your attendance record and other disciplinary actions. While the odd detention here to there likely won't appear on your transcript, suspensions or other severe disciplinary actions probably will.

What is a certificate of detention in California? ›

(b) In any case in which a person is arrested and released and an accusatory pleading is not filed charging him or her with an offense, the person shall be issued a certificate by the law enforcement agency which arrested him or her describing the action as a detention.

What happens if you get detention? ›

Typically, detentions are served after school. Instead of going home at the end of the day, the student reports to a designated classroom where he or she must sit in a desk for an amount of time generally rang- ing from 10 minutes to two hours, with an hour or less being most typical.

What happens if you get detention in school? ›

Detention is one of the most common punishments in United States. Usually this is where a student reports to a certain area or room for a certain period afterschool to work on homework and/or complete tasks assigned to the students.

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