CR-181

Order for Dismissal

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California · File with CR-180.

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What Ezel does with CR-181

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What is CR-181?

California Judicial Council optional-use Order for Dismissal that the judge signs after ruling on a CR-180 Petition for Dismissal under Penal Code sections 17(b), 17(d)(2), 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, 1203.43, and 1203.49. The petitioner brings CR-181 to the clerk together with CR-180 as a proposed order: caption pre-filled, disposition boxes left blank for the judge to mark. Items 1-5 are filled by the judge to indicate which reductions and dismissals were granted or denied. Items 6-11 are preprinted statutory boilerplate that no one fills. The signature line at the bottom of page 2 is for the judicial officer.

What happens if you miss the deadline: If you file CR-180 without CR-181, the clerk usually still processes the petition; the court drafts its own order. Filing CR-181 as a proposed order is courtesy, not requirement.

How to file

Filing fee: No separate fee. CR-181 is filed inside the criminal case along with CR-180.
Filing method: in-person, mail, efile (county-specific)
Filing deadline: File CR-181 with CR-180 (or bring it to the hearing if one is set). The clerk routes both to the judge.
How to serve: After the judge signs, the clerk (per local rule) mails a copy of the signed order to the petitioner and the District Attorney. The petitioner does not separately serve CR-181.
Wet signature: No
Notarization: No
Original and copies: One original to the clerk; one copy for the petitioner; one copy for the District Attorney where local rules require DA service.

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You'll likely also file

Other Ezel-supported forms that commonly file alongside CR-181. Each one has its own guided fill, AI review, and PDF render.

CR-180

Petition for Dismissal

Petition for Dismissal. CR-181 is the proposed order the judge signs to grant relief on a CR-180 petition; the petitioner prepares both at the same time and submits them as a single packet. CR-181 has no independent legal effect: it is operative only if the court grants CR-180 relief under one of the seven statutory paths cited on CR-180 item 4 (Penal Code section 1203.4 probation-completion dismissal, 1203.4a misdemeanor without probation, 1203.41 felony eligible for reduction under realignment, 1203.42 pre-1203.4a felony, 1203.43 deferred-entry-of-judgment vacatur, 1203.49 human-trafficking vacatur) or as a felony-to-misdemeanor reduction under PC 17(b) or PC 17(d)(2). Each path on CR-180 maps to a corresponding checkbox on CR-181 items 1-5; the caption (defendant name, case number, court, county), conviction counts, statutory citations, and disposition language on CR-181 must mirror CR-180 exactly because the granted CR-181 is what the clerk transmits to the California Department of Justice for rap-sheet update under PC 1203.4(a)(2) and 11105. Mismatches between CR-180 and CR-181 (a count listed on CR-180 but missing from CR-181, a different statutory subsection, a different case number on the headers) are the most common rejection reason and force the petitioner to refile, which restarts the calendar. Post-Clean Slate (SB 731 / PC 1203.425) automatic relief in eligible cases now runs in parallel for offenses after the 2024 backlog clearance, but CR-180 + CR-181 remains the only path for older convictions, convictions in the carve-out classes, and any conviction where the petitioner wants an immediate signed order to show employers.

MC-025

Attachment to Judicial Council Form

Attachment MC-025 (Judicial Council continuation page) extends CR-181 when the court grants 'only specified convictions' relief under items 1.c (Penal Code section 1203.4 successful probation completion), 2.c (PC 1203.4a misdemeanor without probation, after one year), 3.b (PC 1203.41 felony probation / 1203.42 felony AB-2147 / 1203.43 Prop-47 reclassification), or 4.b (PC 1203.49 human-trafficking victim) and the conviction list does not fit inline. The petitioner prepares MC-025 ALONGSIDE CR-180 Petition for Dismissal and CR-181 Order for Dismissal so the judge sees the proposed list at the same time as the petition (the judicial officer signs both the petition's proof-of-accuracy block and the order's enumeration at the same hearing); each row should match a CR-180 conviction entry EXACTLY (case number, code section, conviction date, court, county, plea or verdict, sentence imposed) because the order's enumeration is what gets transmitted to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI rap-sheet databases under PC 11105 and PC 13150 + PC 11105.2, and any mismatch results in the relief not propagating to the underlying RAP sheet (the prior conviction remains visible on background checks under PC 11105.05). Header the MC-025 'Attachment to CR-181 Item [1.c / 2.c / 3.b / 4.b]' with the case caption verbatim and party names so the clerk can pair it with the order in the court file. The judge signs CR-181 itself; the MC-025 attachment is incorporated by reference in the order and is the operative dismissal list under PC 1203.4 et seq. Post-grant, the petitioner obtains a CERTIFIED copy of CR-181 + MC-025 from the clerk and submits to DOJ via Form BCIA 8016RR or BCIA 8704 record-correction process to update the RAP sheet (the court does not automatically transmit; the petitioner is the agent of update under PC 11105.2). Clean Slate automatic relief under PC 1203.425 may make the manual CR-180 / CR-181 / MC-025 process unnecessary for convictions eligible for automatic dismissal (most misdemeanors after one year, certain felonies after four years); the wizard should flag automatic relief eligibility BEFORE the petitioner files manually.

FW-001

Request to Waive Court Fees

Field-by-field guidance

We've mapped every field on CR-181: what it asks, what counts as a blocker, what trips most filers up. Ezel applies all of it as you fill. Plain-English questions in, court-ready PDF out.

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Atty Bar No

none

Attorney bar number; pro se filers leave blank.

Pro se filer fills with driver's license number.
Out-of-state attorney fills home-state bar number.

Filer Name

blocker

Filer name. Match CR-180.

Filer's name on CR-181 differs in spelling from CR-180; clerk may flag.
Filer types nickname on CR-180 and full legal name here.

Filer Firm

none

Firm name; pro se filers leave blank.

Pro se filer fills with employer.
Public defender's office filers leave blank when they should write the office.

Filer Street

blocker

Filer street address.

Filer enters a stale address that differs from the rap sheet on file.
Filer uses a P.O. Box where the conformed copy of the order will not arrive.

Filer City

blocker

Filer city.

Filer abbreviates ('SF' instead of 'San Francisco').
Filer types neighborhood instead of city.

Filer State

blocker

Filer state.

Filer types full state name in a small field.
Filer leaves blank for in-state CA.

Filer Zip

blocker

Filer ZIP.

Filer leaves blank.
Filer enters ZIP+4 with a hyphen but the field is short.

Filer Phone

blocker

Filer phone.

Filer leaves blank for privacy; the clerk may need to call about the hearing.
Filer lists a number disconnected since CR-180 was filed.

Filer Fax

none

Filer fax. Effectively obsolete.

Filer types 'N/A'.
Pro se filer fills phone number for fax.

Filer Email

none

Filer email. Optional.

Filer lists a stale email no longer monitored.
Filer omits and clerk has no fast way to send the conformed copy.

Filer Atty For

blocker

'Attorney for' caption. Pro se filers type 'Self-Represented' or 'Defendant in pro per'.

Pro se defendant leaves blank.
Pro se defendant types 'N/A' instead of 'In Pro Per'.

Court County

blocker

Court county; same as CR-180 (the court that originally entered the conviction).

Filer types county of residence rather than court county.
Filer types county of arrest when the conviction venue was different.

Court Street

warning

Court street address.

Filer copies a closed-courthouse address from older paperwork.
Filer mixes traffic and criminal courthouses in the same county.

Court Mailing

warning

Court mailing address.

Filer duplicates the street address when the courthouse uses a separate P.O. Box.
Filer leaves blank in counties where mail uses a separate P.O. Box.

Court City Zip

warning

Court city and ZIP.

Filer omits ZIP.
Filer types the wrong ZIP for a courthouse with multiple ZIPs.

Defendant Name

blocker

Defendant name (page 1 caption). Match CR-180 and the original criminal docket.

Filer types defendant's preferred name when conviction docket has a different legal name.
Filer changes spelling between CR-180 and CR-181, causing facial mismatch.

Defendant Name P2

blocker

Defendant name (page 2 header). Same as page 1.

Mismatched page-1 and page-2 captions; the order may be rejected for facial inconsistency.
Filer leaves the page 2 header blank.

Case Number

blocker

Case number (page 1 caption). Same as CR-180.

Filer guesses or types the booking number.
Filer types a related civil case number.

Case Number P2

blocker

Case number (page 2 header). Same as page 1.

Filer types only the docket suffix.
Filer leaves blank.

Item1 Grant Reduction

none

Item 1: court grants reduction (PC 17(b) / 17(d)(2)). JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item1a All Felony

none

1a: ALL felony convictions. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item1b All Misd

none

1b: ALL misdemeanor convictions. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item1c Specific

none

1c: only specified convictions. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item1c Text

none

1c: specify text. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-fills with the case number; the JUDGE writes the conviction list.
Filer types 'See attached' rather than leaving blank for the court.

Item2 Deny Reduction

none

Item 2: court denies reduction. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item2a All Felony

none

2a: ALL felony. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item2b All Misd

none

2b: ALL misdemeanor. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item2c Specific

none

2c: only specified convictions. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item2c Text

none

2c: specify text. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-fills with the case number; the JUDGE writes the conviction list.
Filer types 'See attached' rather than leaving blank for the court.

Item3 Grant Dismissal

none

Item 3: court grants dismissal. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3 1203 4

none

Item 3 PC 1203.4 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3 1203 4a

none

Item 3 PC 1203.4a checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3 1203 41

none

Item 3 PC 1203.41 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3 1203 42

none

Item 3 PC 1203.42 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3 1203 43

none

Item 3 PC 1203.43 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3 1203 49

none

Item 3 PC 1203.49 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3a All Conv

none

3a: ALL convictions or DEJ pleas. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3b Specific

none

3b: only specified convictions. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item3b Text

none

3b: specify text. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-fills with the case number; the JUDGE writes the conviction list.
Filer types 'See attached' rather than leaving blank for the court.

Item4 Deny Dismissal

none

Item 4: court denies dismissal. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4 1203 4

none

Item 4 PC 1203.4 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4 1203 4a

none

Item 4 PC 1203.4a checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4 1203 41

none

Item 4 PC 1203.41 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4 1203 42

none

Item 4 PC 1203.42 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4 1203 43

none

Item 4 PC 1203.43 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4 1203 49

none

Item 4 PC 1203.49 checkbox. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4a All Conv

none

4a: ALL convictions or DEJ pleas. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4b Specific

none

4b: only specified convictions. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item4b Text

none

4b: specify text. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-fills with the case number; the JUDGE writes the conviction list.
Filer types 'See attached' rather than leaving blank for the court.

Item5 Trafficking

none

Item 5: PC 1203.49 trafficking-victim relief. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item5a1 Full Relief

none

5a(1): full PC 1203.4 relief. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item5a2 Relief With Exceptions

none

5a(2): PC 1203.4 relief with exceptions. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-checks the box; the JUDGE fills item disposition.
Filer leaves blank assuming the form will route through; OK because the judge fills.

Item5a2 Text

none

5a(2): exception specify text. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-fills with the case number; the JUDGE writes the conviction list.
Filer types 'See attached' rather than leaving blank for the court.

Judge Sig Date

none

Date the judge signs. JUDGE fills.

Filer pre-fills with today's date; the JUDGE dates and signs.
Filer types the hearing date as if it were the signing date.

Sources

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