Prostitution: human trafficking: sealing and destruction of arrest records.

Existing law authorizes a person who has been arrested but is not convicted to petition the court for a finding that the defendant is factually innocent of the charges. If the petitioner is found factually innocent, existing law requires the court to order the records of the arrest to be sealed and destroyed, as specified. This bill would authorize a person to petition a court to set aside a conviction for an offense relating to solicitation or prostitution, as specified, based on a finding that the person is factually innocent of the charge if the person is a victim of human trafficking and the offense is a result of the petitioner's status as a victim of that crime. In that case, the bill would require the court to order the records of the arrest to be sealed and destroyed, and to take other action appropriate under the circumstances or as justice requires. The bill would also provide that a finding that the petitioner is factually innocent pursuant to this provision shall be admissible as evidence in a civil action brought by the petitioner, or his or her estate or representative, against an individual or entity for damages arising from the individual's or entity's alleged involvement in human trafficking.