Cal. R. 5.850

As amended through September 20, 2024
Rule 5.850 - Sealing of records by probation in diversion cases (Section 786.5)
(a)Applicability

This rule states the procedures to seal the records of persons who are subject to section 786.5.

(b) Determination of satisfactory completion

Within 60 days of the completion of a program of diversion or supervision under a referral by the probation officer or the prosecutor instead of filing a petition to adjudge the person a ward of the juvenile court, including a program of informal supervision under section 654, the probation department must determine whether the participant satisfactorily completed a program subject to this rule.

(Subd (b) adopted effective January 1, 2022.)

(c) Review of unsatisfactory completion of program by the juvenile court

If the probation department determines that the program has not been completed satisfactorily, it must notify the person in writing of the reason or reasons for not sealing the record and provide the person with a copy of the Petition to Review Denial of Sealing of Records After Diversion Program (form JV-598) or similar local form to allow the person to seek court review of the probation department's determination within 60 days of making that determination, as well as a copy of How to Ask the Court to Seal Your Records (form JV-595-INFO) or other information on how to petition the court directly to seal arrest and other related records. A person who receives notice from the probation department that the program has not been satisfactorily completed and that the records have not been sealed may seek review of that determination by the court by submitting a petition to the probation department on the Petition to Review Denial of Sealing of Records After Diversion Program (form JV-598) or similar local form, and the probation department must file that petition with the court for a hearing to review whether the satisfactory completion requirement has been met and the records are eligible for sealing by the probation department. The petition must be provided to the probation department within 60 days of the date the notice from the probation department was sent, and must include a copy of that notice. The probation department must file the petition with the juvenile court in the county that issued the notice within 30 days of receiving it. The clerk of the court must set the matter for hearing and notify the petitioner and the probation department of the date, time, and location of the hearing. The court must appoint counsel to represent the youth before or at the hearing unless the court finds that the youth has made an intelligent waiver of the right to counsel under section 634 or is already represented. If the court finds after the hearing that the petitioner is eligible to have the records sealed under section 786.5, it must order the probation department to promptly comply with the sealing and notice requirements of this rule.

(Subd (c) adopted effective January 1, 2022.)

(d)Sealing of records

Upon satisfactory completion of a program of diversion or supervision subject to this rule, the probation department must seal the arrest and other records in its custody relating to the arrest or referral and participation in the program. The probation department must notify the arresting law enforcement agency to seal the records relating to the arrest and referral, and the arresting law enforcement agency must seal the records in its custody relating to the arrest, no later than 60 days from the date of the notification. Upon sealing, the law enforcement agency must notify the probation department that the records have been sealed. The probation department must also notify the public or private agency operating the diversion program to which the person has been referred to seal any records in its custody relating to the arrest or referral and participation in the program, and the operator of the program must do so no later than 60 days from the date of the notification by the probation department. Upon sealing, the public or private agency must notify the probation department that the records have been sealed.

(e)Notice to participant

Within 30 days from receipt of the notification by the arresting law enforcement agency that the records have been sealed, the probation department must notify the person in writing that the records have been sealed.

Cal. R. Ct. 5.850

Amended effective 1/1/2022; adopted May 24, 2018, effective 9/1/2018.