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Obtaining a Copy of Your Criminal Record in Orange County, California

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Obtaining a Copy of Your Criminal Record in Orange County, California

Summary: This page covers Different sources for your criminal record, How to get your criminal record from California Department of Justice, If you live outside California or overseas.

The process of cleaning up your criminal record starts with knowing the particulars of your conviction. To get any relief, be it expungement, a pardon or certificate of rehabilitation, you will be required to fill out some forms. Knowing what is on your criminal record will guide you in figuring your options and will also help you to know the correct application forms to use.

Different sources for your criminal record

There are several sources from which you can get your criminal record. They include:

  1. The court papers you received when you were convicted
  2. Officials who have handled your case, including: your lawyer, your parole or probation officer and other officials within the court system
  3. The court where you were convicted. In this case for you, Orange County court. If you live in Orange County but was convicted in another county, you will have to get your records from the superior court that convicted you. Make copies of all the relevant documents.
  4. California State Department of justice. The California criminal record review unit is responsible for handling all criminal records on behalf of California State DOJ.

How to get your criminal record from California Department of Justice

Though a bit complicated as compared to the other 3 sources, there are times when obtaining your record from California DOJ is your only option, such as when you want to check your criminal record for accuracy. You can access your records from the DOJ no matter what county you live in.

When dealing directly with the DOJ, you have to follow very specific instructions. You’ll incur a fee but the fee can be waived under certain circumstances.

To request your record from California DOJ, you need to submit your fingerprints along with your application for your criminal history.

If you live outside California or overseas

Use form FD258, the manual form for fingerprints. You can contact the criminal record review unit for a fingerprint card.

If you are currently residing in California:

You’ll need to submit your fingerprints using form BCIA 8016RR, which is the form for requesting a Live Scan – the only approved .

To fill in the form:

  • Select ‘record review’ where it shows ‘type of application (check one only)’
  • Write ‘record review’ as the reason for application.
  • Provide all other personal information. Do not leave any blanks, otherwise your form will be tossed aside for incompleteness.
  • Once completed, refer to the list of Live Scan locations provided by orange county courts and submit your forms to a Live Scan location closest to you. You’ll need to pay a fee of $25 dollars for processing.
  • You will receive your record at least 8 to 10 weeks from the date of submission.

Note: Make 2 copies of the Live Scan application form: One for you, one for the Live Scan service, and the original to be sent to the California state DOJ.

Once you receive your fingerprints (manual or live), complete the request for your criminal record by using Form BCIA 8705. If you are using manual finger print card, enclose a check addressed to the California DOJ, to cover the fee of $25.

Mail all items directly to the Record Review Unit of the California DOJ. Their full mailing address is available on the Orange County Courts website.

If after receiving your record, you find that some of the contents included are not correct, fill out form BCIA 8706, which is used to contest inaccuracy. After the record is corrected, you can apply for expungement or for any other post-conviction relief.

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Criminal Defense Case Results

Mr. R was charged with embezzling close to $100,000 as a utility salesperson using a scheme to steal customers’ identities. Client avoided any jail time and received probation.

Mr. P was charged with embezzling equipment from John Wayne Airport while working as a contractor. Our office negotiated a civil compromise, resulting in the dismissal of felony charges and sealing his arrest record.

Mr. W. was charged with eight counts, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and criminal threats. Our office negotiated an offer of one year in therapy and then a dismissal of all charges.

Mr. H. was found by police passed out in his vehicle with drugs out in the open. Our office was successful in obtaining a diversion out of the criminal justice system and ultimately a dismissal.

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Refreshing & Life-Changing Experience

I would highly recommend Ms. Johnson-Norris. She and her staff were knowledgeable, very personable, and sensitive to my personal situation. They kept me informed at every turn and were easily contacted whenever I had a question or concern. Additionally, Ms. Johnson-Norris successfully attained what I felt was a favorable outcome. She provided me with approachability and results, enabling me to move on and put the past behind me. Thank you, Ms. Johnson-Norris for everything, especially a huge sigh of relief!

A Criminal Defense Client

I hired Lauren Johnson-Norris when social services showed up at my door asking questions after my husband and I got into an argument. I didn’t understand why they were there and everything was so overblown. They threatened to put my kids in foster care. Ms. Johnson-Norris created a plan to keep my family together, to keep us all safe and to help us get out of the system quickly. She was compassionate and as smart as can be. Her fees were reasonable, I could always get her on the phone and it was such a relief to know that she was on our side. If you or your family ever run into trouble with social services, I strongly recommend calling her. I am so thankful.

A Juvenile Client

Ms. Johnson-Norris represented my wife and me in a motion for relative placement of our grandchild. This was part of a nightmarish case involving the SSA, a corrupt and broken system rife with cronyism, ineptitude and conflicts of interest. Ms. Johnson-Norris was recommended to us as an expert in this area and we are so grateful to her for how she helped us. I’m experienced in dealing with attorneys in commercial and civil issues through my career, but dependency court is a bizarre world where normal rules and rights do not apply. In OC, it is a closed system filled with bias, and outsiders are at a disadvantage. Ms. Johnson-Norris is highly respected in this world and highly effective. She is always professional and an excellent communicator, never failing to return calls and emails promptly as we navigated this valley of terror. She was always prepared with thoughtful, intelligent, reasonable, and realistic counsel. She continues to guide, represent, and help us as things wrap up. I can’t recommend her highly enough. She is highly credible and experienced in this area of law, and there are not many who are. We are so glad she represented us. Her guidance and insight were invaluable to our family, and her teaming with the other counsel for our family was highly effective.

A Juvenile/Child Custody client

Lauren Johnson-Norris is extremely knowledgeable in family court. She communicates with you as a client and is realistic in your options and outcomes. She helped us get our kids returned to us and sort through the maze of dependency court and social services.

Karen I., a Juvenile client

Ms. Johnson-Norris is an aggressive, professional and effective attorney. Thank you for your legal assistance. Her follow-through is to be commended, and she always returns phone calls and quickly replies to email. The outcome would not have been the same without Ms. Johnson-Norris as my attorney. I would highly recommend Ms. Johnson-Norris to friends and family in need of legal advice. Thank you!

M.B., a Family client

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Criminal Defense FaQ

What immediate steps will you take to protect my rights?

We provide immediate crisis command by reviewing the allegations against you and intervening with law enforcement to prevent further exposure. From the moment you retain the Firm, we act as your shield, managing all communications and executing a decisive strategy to protect your liberty and reputation.

We prioritize discretion and exposure management. We understand that a public allegation can be as damaging as a conviction; therefore, our strategy focuses on minimizing the visibility of your case while challenging the prosecution’s narrative to preserve your standing in the community.

We begin by meticulously reviewing the allegations to determine if the conduct even constitutes a crime under the law. We then scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence against the highest standard — proof beyond a reasonable doubt. By analyzing the “who, what, when, where, and how,” we identify the natural questions a jury will have, allowing us to build an expert strategy that derails the prosecutor’s narrative.

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Yes, our firm offers comprehensive legal services in Orange County with a unique focus on “crossover” cases where criminal and juvenile law intersect. Johnson Criminal Law Group provides the specialized expertise necessary to navigate investigations that threaten parental rights and family stability.

When you partner with Johnson Criminal Law Group, you receive 24/7 responsiveness and a clear, strategic plan designed to resolve your legal emergency decisively. We balance aggressive defense strategies with genuine human connection, ensuring you are treated with the respect and transparency you deserve during a crisis

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