Is a convicted felon eligible for a certificate of rehabilitation?

A certificate of rehabilitation is one way for convicted felons to seek a pardon from the governor and relief "from certain civil disabilities attending the conviction." (People v. Ansell (2001) 25 Cal.4th 868, 871, 874.) With some exceptions, felons who have successfully completed their sentences and undergone an additional period of rehabilitation are eligible for a certificate. ( 4852.01, 4852.06; People v. Ansell, supra, at p. 875.) Defendant falls into one of the exceptions. Felons convicted of violating section 288, like defendant, are not eligible for a certificate of rehabilitation. ( 4852.01, subd. (c) [denying eligibility to felons convicted under 269, 286, subd. (c), 288, 288a, subd. (c), 288.5, 288.7, 289, subd. (j)].)