Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Petty Theft 484/488

A "guilty" plea results in a conviction and finding of guilt. A "no contest" or "nolo contendere" plea is a guilty plea in the criminal court, but it can never be used against you in a civil lawsuit. An expungement is a dismissal under Penal Code �1203.4. More specifically, it is a withdrawal of the guilty plea or reversal of the verdict of guilt; then an entry of a "not guilty" plea, and then a dismissal. The reason the statute is written this way is to effectuate its purpose -- to relieve a person of the penalties and disabilities of the conviction. As such, for private employers, you can legally answer that you have never been convicted of the crime. Legally, the conviction is deemed never to have existed. This, however, is to be contrasted with dealings with the governement (ie, military, licensing,etc.), where, despite the expungement, you must disclose the fact of the earlier conviction.

Re: Petty Theft 484/488

There is no difference between pleading guil;ty and no contest. Either way, you'll never be employable again. A theft conviction will always be visible to prospective employers and will disqualify you even if you get an "expungement."