Legal Question in Employment Law in California

You are possibly referring to a "Declaration of Factual Innocence" which is sometimes available to those whose cases are dismissed without conviction, for lack of evidence. Yours wasn't, and it doesn't sound like hers was either. You should ask her to show you what she is talking about. It would have to be a court order regarding the conviction.

However, you can consider in the future getting the conviction expunged; which would help in obtaining and keeping employment. Many convictions can be 'expunged' from criminal records by proper application and Petition to the court, but only if there was no felony prison time sentenced whether served or not, and if it was not for certain listed Sexual and Domestic Violence crimes, and if all terms of sentencing and AT LEAST ONE YEAR of probation are completed, and if there are no new charges pending. If successful, the conviction would be withdrawn and the charges dismissed. Expungement does not �clear�, 'remove' or �erase� the conviction, but merely changes the record to show 'conviction reversed and dismissed by expungement'. When applying for a job in the private sector, you generally do not have to disclose a conviction if it was expunged. However, the conviction is still a 'prior' or 'strike' for purposes of repeat offense, and must be disclosed on any application for government and professional employment and licensing, bonding, security clearance, etc. The licensing agency and employer then can decide whether you are barred from licensing or employment because of the conviction.

If you�re serious about doing this, and you think you qualify under those rules, feel free to contact me for the legal help you'll need.