Duration of Registration Requirement:
Life. See Cal Penal Code Section 290.
Effective 2021, California will adopt a 3-tier registration system with varying minimum registration periods. Registration may be terminated upon petition at the expiration of the minimum period. See SB 384 (2017).
Early Termination:
Certificate of rehabilitation relieves duty to register for certain minor sex offenses where charges dismissed pursuant to section 1203.4. See section 290.5(a)(1).
Sex offenders eligible to apply for COR 10/7 years after dismissal of charges, depending on offense. See section 4852.03(a)(2). COR available only for CA convictions. See section 4852.01.
For more serious offenses, duty to register relieved only by [state] pardon. See section 290.5(b)(1).
Removal from website: Exclusion available from Justice Department for certain less serious offenses. See section 290.46(e).
Early Termination for Juvenile Offenders:
Sealing of juvenile records under Cal. Welf. & Inst. section 781 provides relief. Sealing available 5 years after termination of juvenile court jurisdiction or upon turning 18. See section 781(a).
Eligibility:
Certificate of rehabilitation: Must not have been subsequently incarcerated. Must not be on probation for a felony. See 4852.01(c). Must “conform to and obey the laws of the land.” See 4852.05.
Removal from website: No conviction for certain listed offenses. See section 290.46(b)-(e).
Other Notes:
Certificate 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.” See 4852.05.
Must reside in California for 5 years prior to application. See 4852.01(c), 4852.03(a)(2).
Must not be on supervised/conditional release. See section 290.5(A)(1).
Removal from website: Mandatory for listed offenses if designated as low/moderate-low SARATSO risk level. see section 290.46(e).
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