Was convicted of felony at 17 years of age and want to regain my gun rights

[lightningsprint]

Hi,
I was convicted of felony arson at 17 years of age in the state of California and am now 50 years old. Havent been in trouble since.. Can I regain my rights to own a gun. Ive heard you can have your record sealed if convicted as a minor? Any help is appreciated. Thank you

[Friend In Court]

Re: Was convicted of felony at 17 years of age and want to regain my gun rights

The process of sealing and expunging criminal records in California is covered extensively, with step by step instructions on the Sacramental Law Library's site: saclaw.lib.ca.us/pages/expunging. The forms are also included with links on the site as well as to the appicable sections of the Penal Code providing for expungement and sealing of records, both adult and juvenile. Ordinarily, felonies must be reduced to misdemeanors and then they can be expunged.



Briefly, in order to get an expungement on the forms you will need to fill out is a declaration of why you want the expungement explaining your current situation in life and include: (from their site)

• Your plans for the future;
• The reasons you offended, and how your life is different today than it was when you offended;
• How the conviction has hurt your employment chances;
• If you have received any training or education since your conviction;
• Any occurrence in your life that changed how you interact with your community; and
• Any 12-step or religious affiliations you have.

All declarations submitted to the court must contain the words "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of California that the foregoing is true and correct." This is a step a lot of people skip, that of adequately swearing to the truth of what they have submitted, so do not forget this part of the declaration.