Matthews

Introduction

In this case, we decide that respondent, a corporate president, did not carry his burden to show he was factually innocent of certain industry-related crimes and that the trial judge erred in granting respondent’s motion to seal and destroy his arrest records. We reverse.

Procedural Background

Diceon Electronics, Inc. (Diceon), a company which manufactures printed circuit boards, two of the company’s managers, and its president, respondent Roland G. Matthews, were charged in a twelve-count information which alleged the illegal disposal of hazardous waste (Health & Saf. Code, § 25189.5, subd. (b); nine counts, one felony and one misdemeanor count involving Matthews among others) and the illegal storage of hazardous waste (Health & Saf. Code, § 25190; three counts, all three misdemeanor counts involving Matthews among others.) Pursuant to a negotiated disposition and prior to a preliminary hearing, Diceon pled nolo contendere to three felony counts of the illegal disposal of hazardous waste, and two company managers (Richard Thomas and Peter Jonas) pled nolo contendere to one misdemeanor count of illegal disposal of hazardous waste. Also as a part of the…