The cost to clear your record in California ranges from $0 to a few thousand dollars, depending on how you go about it. If you qualify for a fee waiver, free legal aid, or California’s automatic relief program, it can cost nothing. If you file the paperwork yourself, expect to pay only the court’s filing fee, which runs from about $60 to $150. If you hire an attorney to handle a more complicated case, total cost commonly runs from about $900 up to $4,000 or more.
One quick note on terms. California does not actually have “true expungement” in the strict legal sense, meaning a conviction is never fully erased from every record. What most people call expungement is really a Penal Code 1203.4 petition for dismissal, which marks the case as dismissed rather than deleting it. This article uses “expungement” since that is the word most people search for, but the rest of this guide explains what that process actually costs.
What “Expungement” Actually Means in California
A 1203.4 dismissal changes your case status and lets you legally state on most job applications that you were not convicted, in most situations. It does not erase the record entirely, restore gun rights in most cases, or remove a conviction from a background check run by certain government employers, licensing boards, or law enforcement agencies. Knowing this distinction matters because it affects whether “expungement” is even the right tool for your situation or whether a different kind of relief fits better. . For the full process, see our guide to expungement in California.
The Court Filing Fee
Every 1203.4 petition starts with a court filing fee. This is a flat amount set by the Superior Court and is the same whether you hire an attorney or file it yourself.
| Case type | Typical filing fee |
|---|---|
| Infraction or misdemeanor | $60 |
| Felony | $120 |
| Some counties (either type) | Up to $150 |
If you cannot afford this fee, you can ask the court to waive it with a “Request to Waive Court Fees” form, which is based on your income and household size.
Attorney or Service Fees
The filing fee is only part of the picture. Most people also pay for help preparing and filing the petition correctly, and this is where cost varies the most.
| Option | Typical total cost |
|---|---|
| File it yourself | Just the court fee: $60 to $150 |
| Budget document prep or flat-fee service | About $900 to $1,200, often including the court fee |
| Full attorney representation | Commonly $2,500, ranging up to $4,000 or more for a contested or complex case |
Example. Someone with one simple misdemeanor and no complications might pay a flat-fee service around $900, all in. Someone with a felony conviction, a contested hearing, and questions about whether probation was fully completed might end up paying an attorney $3,000 or more, since that case takes more work to prepare correctly.
Can You Get It for Free?
Yes, in a few real situations.
- Fee waiver- If you qualify financially, the court can waive the filing fee itself, bringing your out-of-pocket cost to $0.
- Public Defender assistance- In many counties, the Public Defender’s office will prepare and file your petition at no charge for their time. You still owe the underlying court fee unless that is separately waived, and any payment goes directly to the court, never to the Public Defender’s office.
- California’s Clean Slate Act-. Under a law that took effect in 2022 and was expanded in 2024, the state now automatically reviews criminal records each month and grants relief, dismissing or sealing many eligible cases, without you filing anything or paying a cent. There is a catch: you are not notified when this happens, so you have to request your own record or check with the court to find out if it already applies to you.
- Nonprofit legal aid- Organizations that offer free record-clearing help to those who qualify financially are a real, actively used option, not just a theoretical one.
What Changes the Total Cost
Several factors push your case toward the lower or higher end of these ranges.
- Misdemeanor versus felony- Felony cases involve more legal review and generally cost more.
- DIY versus attorney- Filing yourself saves money but means you are responsible for getting every detail right.
- Multiple cases or counties- More than one case, especially across different counties, adds preparation time.
- A contested hearing- Most petitions do not require a court appearance, but if the prosecution objects, a hearing adds cost.
- Outstanding restitution or probation status- Unpaid restitution or an unclear probation record can add extra steps before you are even eligible.
- Requesting a felony reduction at the same time- Asking the court to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor before dismissing it is common, but it adds another layer of work.
Common Questions
Can I expunge my record myself in California?
Yes. Nothing legally requires you to hire anyone. You can file the petition yourself and pay only the court fee. The tradeoff is that you are responsible for confirming your own eligibility, filling out the forms correctly, and following up if anything is missing.
What is the new law for expungement in California?
California’s Clean Slate Act automatically reviews and clears many eligible criminal records each month without requiring a petition. It started with certain non-conviction records and misdemeanors in 2022, and was expanded in 2024 to include some non-violent felony convictions as well.
What cases cannot be expunged in California?
Some convictions are not eligible, including certain serious or violent felonies, cases where you are still serving a sentence, and situations where you did not successfully complete probation. Eligibility depends heavily on your specific conviction and case history, so this is worth confirming before you file anything or pay for help.
Do I need a lawyer to get my record expunged?
No, but a lawyer can be worth the added cost if your case is complicated, such as multiple convictions, an unclear probation record, or a case where the prosecution is likely to object.
How long does it take to get a misdemeanor expunged?
Timelines vary by county, but a straightforward, uncontested misdemeanor petition commonly takes a few weeks to a couple of months from filing to a judge’s decision.
A Real-World Example
Consider two people with different situations. James has a single, old misdemeanor conviction, has completed probation, and qualifies for a fee waiver based on his income. He gets help from the Public Defender’s office to prepare his petition. His total cost: $0.
Now consider Priya, who has a felony conviction from several years ago along with a related misdemeanor from a different county. She wants to ask the court to reduce her felony to a misdemeanor at the same time as requesting dismissal, and she is not confident she can navigate both counties’ paperwork on her own. She hires an attorney, and her total cost lands around $3,000.
Both are legitimate, common paths. The right one for you depends on how straightforward your case is and how much of the process you are comfortable handling yourself.
If You Are Ready to Move Forward
Clearing your record can open doors for jobs, housing, and licensing that stay closed with an open conviction on file. If you are in Bakersfield or elsewhere in Kern County and are not sure whether you qualify, what it will cost in your specific situation, or whether a fee waiver applies to you, our expungement attorneys offer a free initial consultation to walk through your record and your options.
