In California employers cannot search state criminal history records. An employer CAN search court records if they know what court to request records through. This is most often done via a firm that does background investigations using these public records.

If the employer does ask about the conviction, and you give them an incomplete answer, they can always choose not to hire you. So, if you were convicted of disturbing the peace, then say so.

As a side note, the Freedom of Information Act is a federal act that is not binding on state and local governments. I believe that every state has a law that mirrors the FOIA, but they are not identical. In CA it is the CPRA (California Public Records Act) and it is one of the broadest in the nation.

- Carl