Merced County, CA · Merced County
Petition To Seal And Destroy Adult Arrest Records
This petition lets a person arrested or detained request that the law enforcement agency or court with jurisdiction seal and destroy the arrest record.
At a glance
- Issued by
- City of Merced County · Merced County, Merced County, California
- Notarization
- Not required: file this form without a notary.
- Official source
- countyofmerced.com
- Blank form
- Download the PDF
- Catalogued
- Machine-readable
- JSON record · about the forms index
What this form is
Use this petition to ask the law enforcement agency or court with jurisdiction to seal and destroy an adult arrest record when seeking a finding of factual innocence. The form collects the petitioner's identifying and arrest information, then provides sections for the agency or court to grant or deny the petition. The instructions describe serving a copy on the district attorney and submitting an approved petition to the Department of Justice.
Who needs it
A person arrested or detained who seeks a finding of factual innocence and wants the arrest record sealed and destroyed may use this petition.
How to submit it
The form says to serve a copy on the district attorney and petition the law enforcement agency or court with jurisdiction. Submit an approved petition to the Department of Justice Record Sealing Unit at the listed Sacramento address.
About notarization
This petition is signed and dated without a notary; the form mentions no notarized attachment or related step.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download the Petition
Download the Petition to Seal and Destroy Adult Arrest Records.
- 2
Complete the Petitioner Section
Print or type the requested identifying and arrest information, then sign and date the petition.
- 3
Gather Supporting Materials
If available, submit declarations, affidavits, police reports, or other evidence to the appropriate agency or court, and serve copies as instructed.
- 4
Submit to the Appropriate Agency or Court
Petition the law enforcement agency or court with jurisdiction and serve a copy on the district attorney. Send an approved petition to the Department of Justice Record Sealing Unit.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the adult arrest records petition request?
- It asks the law enforcement agency or court with jurisdiction to provide for sealing and destruction of an adult arrest record for a person determined to be factually innocent.
- How do I submit the petition?
- The instructions say to serve a copy on the district attorney and petition the law enforcement agency or court with jurisdiction. An approved petition goes to the Department of Justice Record Sealing Unit.
- Do I need a notary for the adult arrest records petition?
- No. The petition is signed and dated without a notary; it does not mention any notarized attachment or related step.