How expungement works in Shasta County

If your conviction is from a Shasta County case, your petition goes to the Shasta County Superior Court in Redding. Here is how the process generally works, step by step.

Most people say “expungement,” but in California it usually means a dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4 (or 1203.4a when there was no probation). The court lets you withdraw your plea, and the case is dismissed. The record isn’t destroyed, but it is updated to show the dismissal. See the PC 1203.4 eligibility checklist to find out who generally qualifies.

Step 1: Find the case and confirm the details

We start with the basics: the case number, the conviction (the charge and whether it was a misdemeanor or felony), the sentence, and whether probation was completed. If you don’t have your paperwork, that’s fine. Court records and your criminal history can usually fill the gaps. Many people have more than one case, and each case needs its own petition.

Step 2: Check eligibility and pick the right request

Depending on your case, the right request may be:

• A dismissal under PC 1203.4 if you were given probation.
• A dismissal under PC 1203.4a for a misdemeanor or infraction without probation, generally at least one year after sentencing.
• A felony reduction under PC 17(b), often filed together with the dismissal for “wobbler” offenses.
• Early termination of probation (PC 1203.3) if you’re still on probation, sometimes combined with the dismissal.
• Prop 47 redesignation for certain older drug-possession and lower-value theft felonies.

Step 3: Prepare and file the petition

The petition is usually prepared on the Judicial Council forms (CR-180, Petition for Dismissal, and CR-181, Order for Dismissal), with any supporting declaration. A short statement about your work, family, schooling, or community involvement can help when the judge has discretion. The petition is filed with the Shasta County Superior Court, whose Main Courthouse is at 1515 Court Street in Redding. California no longer charges a court filing fee for most PC 1203.4 petitions, but we’ll confirm any costs with you up front.

Step 4: The District Attorney gets notice

The prosecutor (usually the Shasta County District Attorney) receives notice of the petition and can respond or object. Many petitions for people who completed probation aren’t opposed, but some are, especially when probation wasn’t completed or restitution is unpaid.

Step 5: The judge decides

Some petitions are granted on the papers, and others are set for a hearing. In many cases you don’t need to appear, because your attorney can handle it. If the judge or prosecutor asks for you to be there, we’ll let you know ahead of time. Timing depends on the court’s calendar. Many petitions are decided in a few weeks to a few months.

Step 6: After the dismissal

Once the order is signed, the court record is updated to show the case as dismissed, and the update is reported to the California Department of Justice. Keep a copy of the signed order. Under California law, most employers can’t ask about or consider a dismissed conviction, though there are exceptions (see the FAQ). A dismissal doesn’t change your DMV driving record, restore firearm rights, or end a registration requirement.

Areas we serve

We help people with Shasta County cases who live in Redding, Anderson, Shasta Lake, Palo Cedro, Cottonwood, Bella Vista, Millville, Shingletown, Burney, and anywhere else, including people who have since moved out of the area. Most of the work happens by email and phone, so you don’t need to come to an office. If your case was in another California county, such as Tehama, Siskiyou, or Trinity, ask us and we’ll tell you whether we can help.

Common questions

Do I need to live in Shasta County to expunge a Shasta County case?

No. The petition is filed in the court where you were convicted, so a Shasta County case goes to Shasta County Superior Court wherever you live now.

Can I file it myself?

Yes. Self-help resources are available, and some people do it on their own. An attorney can help identify the right type of request, spot problems like an incomplete probation or a case that needs a felony reduction first, and handle the filing and any hearing.

What if I have cases in more than one county?

Each case is filed separately in the county where it happened. Tell us about all of them on the form and we’ll go over the options for each.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and it may not reflect the latest changes in the law. Every case is different and no particular result is guaranteed. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

More guides: Shasta County expungement process · PC 1203.4 eligibility · DUI expungement · FAQ