The law in each State recognizes that children have the ability to learn from their mistakes and outgrow a troubled past. That’s part of the reason why juvenile courts are separate from the adult criminal system. As a result, a juvenile record is separated from an adult criminal record. Unlike an adult criminal record, juvenile court proceedings and juvenile criminal records aren’t public record. They are, however, available to law enforcement agencies, your local probation department, and others involved in the juvenile justice system.

Also, generally speaking, there are no convictions in juvenile court because the purpose is to try and rehabilitate the person who broke the law. Instead, sentencing is called an adjudication, and the minor is typically overseen by the state’s office of juvenile justice instead of the office of probation.

Committing a juvenile crime can still affect you as an adult, however, as most states allow certain juvenile offenses to be used in sentencing in adult court as evidence of prior convictions. Some states also require that schools be notified if a student is found delinquent, although the details remain private.

That juvenile record can continue to haunt you on job applications and rental agreements throughout your adult life as it may appear on a background check. While the details are private, the fact that you got convicted may not be. This is why you may want to consider trying to expunge your record.

Each state has its own requirements on how to expunge a juvenile record, so it will help to consult a local criminal defense attorney for legal advice about the exact rules in your state. It is typically not available for serious offenses or if you were convicted of a sex offense and have to register as a sex offender but those types of charges were likely handled in the adult criminal system versus the juvenile system. Some adult convictions are also eligible for expungement (a common one at the moment is possession of marijuana now that it is legal in many states). Again, however, it likely does not include serious crimes.

Once you’ve turned 18, your juvenile record is set and there’s no going back. At that point, you can petition the court to get rid of it. This is called expungement. It is a court order which essentially erases your criminal record. In some states, these orders require any department or organization that holds your juvenile record to physically destroy the records related to your juvenile criminal history. This court order is different than an order to seal the records because those records would still exist.

The general eligibility requirements for expungement are often the same. They include: 1) waiting the required amount of time, 2) filing the correct paperwork and 3) staying out of trouble.

If you can follow those rules as they are worded in your state laws, you should be able to get rid of your juvenile record for good. That means you can move on and leave your past where it belongs. After an expungement, you are not required to tell potential employers about your expunged juvenile record.If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.