Criminal Forms

Fingerprint Form

This form collects fingerprint information from a person involved in a criminal case to create an official record for identification and background checking purposes. Criminal defendants, people seeking to expunge or dismiss their criminal records, and others involved in court proceedings use this form so the court can verify their identity and access their complete criminal history.

Plea Form, With Explanations and Waiver of Rights—Felony (Criminal)

This form allows a defendant to enter a guilty plea in a felony criminal case while confirming they understand the charges, their rights, and the consequences of pleading guilty. Judges, defense attorneys, and criminal defendants use this form to create an official record that the defendant knowingly and voluntarily gave up their right to a trial before accepting a felony conviction.

Domestic Violence Plea Form With Waiver of Rights—Misdemeanor

This form allows someone accused of a misdemeanor domestic violence crime to enter a guilty plea while waiving certain legal rights and understanding the consequences, including potential restraining order issuance and domestic violence conviction records. Prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges use this form to process domestic violence cases efficiently while ensuring the defendant knowingly accepts the plea and its effects on their criminal record and future firearm rights.

Findings and Orders for Pretrial Release or Detention

This form documents a judge's decision about whether someone arrested can be released before trial and what conditions they must follow, or whether they should be held in jail. Judges and court staff use it to record pretrial release or detention decisions that affect a defendant's freedom while their criminal case is ongoing.

Defendant's Financial Statement on Eligibility for Appointment of Counsel and Reimbursement and Record on Appeal at Public Expense

This form lets defendants tell the court about their money and property so the court can decide if they can afford a lawyer and if they can pay for court costs. Defendants use it in criminal cases to ask for a free lawyer and free copies of court records when they don't have enough money to pay for these things.

Proof of Service - Criminal Record Clearing

This form is used to document that official notice of a criminal record clearing request has been properly delivered to all required parties in the case. Defendants, their attorneys, and the prosecution use it to prove that everyone involved has been notified about a petition to expunge, dismiss, or seal criminal records.

Order for Victim Restitution

This form is used to order a person convicted of a crime to pay money to their victim to cover losses from the crime, such as medical bills, property damage, or lost wages. Judges use this form when sentencing someone to make sure victims receive financial compensation for the harm they suffered.

Abstract of Judgment—Restitution

This form documents the amount of money a defendant must pay to a victim as restitution ordered by the court in a criminal case. Law enforcement, courts, and collection agencies use it to track and enforce restitution payments that are part of a criminal sentence.

Instructions: Order for Victim Restitution

This form provides instructions for completing a court order that requires a defendant to pay money back to a victim for losses or harm caused by the crime. Judges, court staff, and attorneys use this form to ensure victims receive restitution payments as ordered by the court.

Instructions: Abstract of Judgment—Restitution

This form provides step-by-step instructions for filling out an Abstract of Judgment for restitution, which is a document that records a court order requiring a defendant to pay money to a victim. Courts, attorneys, and court staff use this form to properly document and enforce restitution orders so that victim compensation can be collected and tracked.

Defendant's Statement of Assets

This form lets defendants tell the court about their money, property, and debts so the court can decide if they can afford to pay fines, restitution, or court fees. Defendants use it in criminal cases to show their financial situation and avoid jail time for not being able to pay, or to request a payment plan.

Instructions: Defendant's Statement of Assets

This form helps defendants list all their money, property, and assets so the court can understand their financial situation. Defendants use it in criminal cases to show the court what they own when dealing with fines, restitution, or other financial penalties.

Information Regarding Income Deduction Order (Pen.Code, § 1202.42)

This form tells a court about a person's income so the court can order money to be taken directly from their paycheck to pay court-ordered fines or restitution. Court officials, probation officers, and people on probation use this form to make sure payment obligations are collected automatically from wages.

Order For Income Deduction (Pen.Code, § 1202.42)

This form orders an employer to automatically deduct money from a defendant's paycheck to pay court-ordered fines, fees, or restitution. Courts and probation officers use it to ensure defendants comply with financial obligations imposed as part of their criminal sentence.

Notice of Appeal—Felony (Defendant)

This form notifies the court and other parties that a defendant wants to appeal a felony conviction or sentence to a higher court for review. Defendants use it to start the appeal process when they believe the trial court made legal errors that affected their case.

Order to Attend Court or Provide Documents: Subpoena/Subpoena Duces Tecum

This form is a court order that requires a person to show up in court on a specific date and time, or to bring documents and other evidence to court. Lawyers, prosecutors, and private parties use this form to subpoena witnesses and collect evidence needed for their case.

Application for Extension of Time to File Brief—Criminal Case (Appellate)

This form allows a defendant or attorney in a criminal appeal to ask the court for extra time to submit their written argument (brief) to the appellate court. Criminal defendants, their lawyers, and prosecutors use this form when they need more time to prepare their appeal brief due to complexity, workload, or other circumstances that prevent meeting the original deadline.

Application for Extension of Time to File Brief—Misdemeanor or Infraction Case

This form allows someone to request more time to file a brief in a misdemeanor or infraction case in California court. Defendants, their attorneys, or prosecutors use it when they need extra time to prepare their written legal arguments before the deadline.

Notice of Appeal (Misdemeanor)

This form notifies the court and other parties that a defendant is appealing a misdemeanor conviction or sentence to a higher court for review. A defendant or their lawyer uses this form to officially start the appeal process when they believe the conviction was unfair or the sentence was too harsh.

Request for Court-Appointed Lawyer in Misdemeanor Appeal

This form allows someone to ask the court to assign them a free lawyer for appealing a misdemeanor conviction. People who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer use this form when they want to appeal their misdemeanor case.

Notice Regarding Record on Appeal (Misdemeanor)

This form notifies the court and parties involved about what documents and records will be included in an appeal of a misdemeanor case. Defense attorneys, prosecutors, and appellate courts use this form to establish which trial records need to be prepared and transmitted so the appeals court can review whether the conviction was handled correctly.

Proposed Statement on Appeal (Misdemeanor)

This form allows a defendant in a misdemeanor case to submit a written statement explaining their side of the case to the appeals court before the court makes a decision. Defendants and their lawyers use this form to appeal a misdemeanor conviction by presenting arguments about why the lower court's decision was wrong or unfair.

Order Concerning Appellant's Proposed Statement on Appeal (Misdemeanor)

This form allows a court to approve, reject, or modify a defendant's written statement that they want included in their appeal of a misdemeanor conviction. A defendant or their attorney uses this form to get the judge's permission for what will be presented to the appeals court reviewing their case.

Abandonment of Appeal (Misdemeanor)

This form allows someone to officially withdraw or dismiss an appeal they filed in a misdemeanor criminal case. A defendant or their attorney uses this form to stop pursuing an appeal and end the appellate process, typically when they decide to accept the lower court's conviction or sentence.

Notice of Waiver of Oral Argument (Misdemeanor)

This form allows a defendant in a misdemeanor case to tell the court that they don't want to present oral arguments and accept a decision based on written evidence instead. Defendants use it when they want to waive their right to speak in front of a judge during their case hearing.

Notice of Appeal and Record on Appeal (Infraction)

This form notifies the court that someone wants to appeal an infraction conviction and requests that the case record be sent to the appeals court for review. A defendant who disagrees with an infraction judgment uses this form to challenge the decision and seek reversal or modification of the conviction.

Proposed Statement on Appeal (Infraction)

This form allows a defendant in an infraction case to submit a written statement explaining their side of the case to the appeals court before a judge reviews it. Prosecutors, defendants, and their lawyers use this form to present arguments and evidence when appealing an infraction conviction or challenging a traffic or minor citation decision.

Order Concerning Appellant's Proposed Statement on Appeal (Infraction)

This form allows a court to approve, reject, or modify what an appellant wants to include in their official written statement when appealing an infraction case. Judges and appellants use it to make sure the appeal statement is accurate and complete before it's submitted to the higher court for review.

Abandonment of Appeal (Infraction)

This form allows someone to officially drop their appeal of an infraction conviction in California traffic or minor criminal court. A defendant or their lawyer uses it when they decide to stop fighting the infraction decision and accept the original court ruling.

Certificate of Identity Theft: Judicial Finding of Factual Innocence

This form documents a court's official finding that a person is not responsible for crimes committed by someone using their identity, and it can be used to expunge or clear those false criminal records. Crime victims use this form to prove their innocence and remove the fraudulent charges from their criminal history so they can pass background checks and restore their reputation.

Petition for Certificate of Identity Theft (Pen. Code, § 530.6)

This form lets someone who has been a victim of identity theft ask the court for an official certificate confirming their identity theft victimhood. Police officers, prosecutors, and victims use this certificate to help clear their criminal record or prevent wrongful arrests when criminals have used their personal information to commit crimes.

Criminal Protective Order—Domestic Violence (CLETS—CPO)

This form creates a domestic violence restraining order that police can enter into a statewide computer system to protect someone from abuse, threats, or contact by another person. Courts and law enforcement use it to enforce protection orders and keep victims safe by immediately alerting officers if the protected person needs help.

Criminal Protective Order—Other Than Domestic Violence (CLETS—CPO)

This form creates a restraining order that prohibits someone from contacting or coming near a person, typically issued as part of a criminal case. Prosecutors and judges use it to protect victims and witnesses from harassment, threats, or harm by someone accused or convicted of a crime.

Order to Surrender Firearms, Firearm Parts, and Ammunition in Domestic Violence Case (CLETS—CPO)

This form directs someone to turn over all their guns, gun parts, and ammunition to law enforcement as part of a domestic violence restraining order case. Judges use it to remove firearms from people who are prohibited from having them due to a domestic violence protective order.

Findings and Orders Regarding Prohibited Items While on Diversion

Court files findings documenting prohibited items discovered during diversion supervision and corresponding orders regarding defendant's diversion status.

Retail Crime Restraining Order—Criminal (CLETS-RCO)

This form is used to request a restraining order that prohibits someone convicted of retail theft or related crimes from entering a specific retail store or shopping area. Law enforcement, prosecutors, and retail businesses use it to protect stores from repeat shoplifters and organized retail crime offenders.

Notice of Termination of Protective Order in Criminal Proceeding (CLETS-CANCEL)

This form notifies law enforcement and the court system that a protective order issued in a criminal case has ended and should be removed from the statewide database. Prosecutors, judges, or court staff use this form to officially cancel a restraining order or protective order so that the protected person and the defendant are no longer legally bound by its restrictions.

Batterer Intervention Program Progress Report

This form tracks a defendant's progress and completion status in a court-ordered batterer intervention program, documenting their attendance, behavior, and whether they've successfully finished the required classes. Probation officers, program instructors, and courts use it to verify that someone accused of domestic violence is complying with their sentence and to help judges decide whether to modify their sentence or close their case.

Notification of Decision Whether to Challenge Recommendation (Pen. Code, § 2972.1)

This form notifies the court whether a person plans to challenge a recommendation made in their sexually violent predator (SVP) commitment case. A person subject to SVP commitment proceedings uses this form to tell the court if they want to contest the recommendation and request a hearing before a judge.

Order for Commitment (Sexually Violent Predator)

This form orders the commitment of a person found to be a sexually violent predator to a state hospital for treatment and custody. Judges use this form to legally confine individuals deemed dangerous sex offenders who have completed their criminal sentences but pose an ongoing risk to the public.

Petition for Dismissal

This form petitions the court to dismiss and expunge an old criminal conviction or arrest record under Penal Code 1203.4, clearing it from the person's official record. Anyone who has completed probation or their sentence for a misdemeanor or felony conviction and wants to expunge or clear that old conviction from their record uses this petition.

Order for Dismissal

This form is used to officially dismiss a criminal case in court, ending the charges against a defendant. Judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys use it when a case is resolved through plea agreements, dropped charges, or other dismissals to create a legal record that removes the criminal matter from active prosecution.

Petition for Dismissal (Military Personnel)

This form allows active-duty military members to request that criminal charges against them be dismissed or delayed while they are deployed or on active duty. Military personnel use this form to ask the court for relief from criminal proceedings due to their military service obligations.

Order for Dismissal (Military Personnel)

This form officially dismisses criminal charges against a service member on active duty, inactive duty, or recently separated from the military. Courts use it to close cases involving military personnel who may have service-related reasons for the dismissal or who are unavailable due to military service.

Petition for Expungement of DNA Profiles and Samples (Pen. Code, § 299)

This form is used to request that DNA profiles and biological samples be removed and destroyed from California's DNA database. Someone who was arrested or convicted uses this form to ask the court to expunge their DNA information if they are eligible under state law.

Order for Expungement of DNA Profiles and Samples (Pen. Code, § 299)

This form orders the destruction of a person's DNA profile and biological samples from state databases. Courts and prosecutors use it to remove DNA records for people who are eligible under state law, such as those whose convictions were dismissed or who were acquitted of charges.

Motion to Vacate Conviction or Sentence

This form allows someone to ask a court to erase or dismiss a criminal conviction or reduce a sentence they received. People with old convictions use this form when they believe they're now eligible for relief under current laws, such as those who qualify for expungement, resentencing, or other post-conviction remedies.

Order on Motion to Vacate Conviction or Sentence

This form is used to document a judge's decision on a request to vacate (undo) a criminal conviction or sentence based on grounds such as legal errors, newly discovered evidence, or changes in the law. Defense attorneys, prosecutors, or defendants use this form when seeking to expunge or overturn a conviction to correct injustices or remove criminal records.

Order Appointing Counsel in Capital Case

This form appoints a lawyer to represent a defendant in a death penalty case. Judges use it to ensure that defendants facing capital charges have legal counsel assigned to them, as required by law.

Declaration of Counsel for Appointment in Capital Case

This form allows a lawyer to declare that they meet the qualifications and are willing to be appointed to defend someone facing the death penalty in court. Defense attorneys and public defender offices use it to request appointment in capital murder cases where the defendant cannot afford their own lawyer.

Form Interrogatories—Crime Victim Restitution

This form is a standard set of written questions that help gather detailed information about expenses and losses a crime victim experienced so a court can calculate how much restitution money they should receive. Crime victims, prosecutors, and defense attorneys use this form during criminal cases to document and prove the financial harm caused by the crime for restitution purposes.

Prohibited Persons Relinquishment Form Findings (Pen. Code, § 29810(c))

This form documents the court's findings when someone is ordered to give up firearms and ammunition because they're prohibited from owning them under California law. Judges use this form to create an official record of why a person must relinquish their weapons due to criminal convictions, restraining orders, or other disqualifying circumstances.

Proof of Enrollment or Completion (Alcohol or Drug Program)

This form lets someone prove they've enrolled in or completed an alcohol or drug treatment program as required by a court order. A person uses it to show the court they've fulfilled this requirement, often needed to reduce charges, dismiss a case, or satisfy probation conditions.

Order to Install Ignition Interlock Device

This form is a court order that requires a person to install and use an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, which tests their breath alcohol level before the engine can start. Judges use this form to enforce drunk driving restrictions and reduce the risk of repeat offenses by people convicted of or arrested for driving under the influence.

Ignition Interlock Installation Verification

This form confirms that a person has successfully installed an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, which is a breathalyzer machine that prevents a car from starting if alcohol is detected. Courts and probation officers use this form to verify that someone convicted of a DUI has complied with the legal requirement to install this device as part of their sentence or probation conditions.

Ignition Interlock Calibration Verification

This form documents that an ignition interlock device has been properly calibrated and is working correctly to prevent a vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected. Courts and probation officers use this form to verify compliance with DUI sentence requirements and ensure the monitoring device is functioning as intended.

Ignition Interlock Noncompliance Report

This form reports when someone with an ignition interlock device fails to comply with the requirements of their DUI sentence, such as missing required maintenance or testing. Law enforcement, probation officers, and court officials use it to document violations that could result in criminal penalties or extended monitoring for DUI offenders.

Ignition Interlock Removal and Modification to Probation Order

This form is used to ask a court to remove or change an ignition interlock device requirement from a person's probation order. A probation officer, defendant, or their attorney uses this form to request modification of the probation conditions when the ignition interlock requirement is no longer needed or should be adjusted.

Notice to Employers of Ignition Interlock Restriction

This form notifies an employer that an employee is required to use an ignition interlock device (a breath-testing device in their vehicle) as part of a drunk driving conviction sentence. Courts and probation officers use this form to inform employers about the ignition interlock restriction so they understand why their employee may have limitations on driving a company vehicle or may need schedule adjustments during the probation period.

Notice and Motion for Transfer

This form is used to request that a criminal case be moved from one court to another court that has proper authority to handle it. Defendants, prosecutors, or their lawyers use this form when they need a case transferred to a different jurisdiction for reasons like venue changes or to consolidate related cases.

Habeas Corpus Petition

A person uses this form to challenge their illegal detention or imprisonment and ask the court to release them. It's a fundamental legal tool to protect personal freedom.

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus—LPS Act (Mental Health)

This form is used to ask a court to release someone from mental health detention or treatment by filing a legal petition called a writ of habeas corpus. People who believe they are being unlawfully held or treated under California's mental health laws (called the Lanterman-Petri-Short Act) use this form to challenge their detention and seek freedom.

Petition for Writ Of Habeas Corpus—Penal Commitment (Mental Health)

This form asks a court to release someone from involuntary mental health commitment or treatment by challenging whether their detention is lawful. People who believe they are being unlawfully held in a psychiatric facility use this form to petition for their freedom from confinement.

Notice and Request for Ruling

This form notifies the court that a party wants a ruling on a specific issue in a case and requests a date for the court to make that decision. People involved in court cases use this form to formally ask the judge to rule on matters like custody, support, property division, or other disputed issues that need a court decision.

Declaration of Counsel Re Minimum Qualifications for Appointment in Death Penalty-Related Habeas Corpus Proceedings

This form allows a lawyer to declare that they meet the required experience and qualifications to handle death penalty habeas corpus cases in California courts. Attorneys use this form to prove they are eligible to be appointed to represent death row inmates seeking to challenge their convictions or sentences through habeas corpus petitions.

Order Appointing Counsel in Death Penalty-Related Habeas Corpus Proceedings

This form is used to officially assign a lawyer to represent someone in a death penalty appeal case. Judges use it to appoint counsel when someone files a habeas corpus petition—a legal request to challenge a death sentence or argue they are being wrongfully imprisoned.

Petitioner's Notice of Appeal-Death Penalty-Related Habeas Corpus Decision

This form notifies the court that a person is appealing a judge's decision in a habeas corpus case related to a death penalty, asking a higher court to review whether the lower court made the right call. Death row inmates or their lawyers use this form to challenge decisions that denied relief from their death sentences based on claims of innocence, ineffective legal help, or other serious legal errors.