What is the legal consequence of a conviction being dismissed under Penal Code Section 1203.4?

Under California Penal Code Section 1203.4, when a conviction is dismissed, it carries significant legal implications for the individual involved. The primary consequence is that the conviction is effectively removed from consideration for most purposes. This means the individual's official records are sealed, which allows them to truthfully state that they have not been convicted of the crime in future employment applications or other inquiries regarding their criminal history.

This section is designed to provide a second chance to individuals who have fulfilled the conditions of their probation, demonstrating rehabilitation. By allowing them to state they were not convicted, it aims to mitigate the long-term effects that a criminal conviction can have on employment opportunities and social standing.

The other choices misrepresent the legal effects of a dismissal under this code. For instance, the individual is not permanently barred from employment, nor does the conviction remain on their record in a manner that affects their status as if it were still an active conviction. Moreover, while individuals might still be required to pay restitution or certain penalties depending on the case, the dismissal under this specific statute doesn't inherently impose a continuing obligation for all fines initially associated with the conviction.