States do not want minor offenses to ruin a young person's chance of employment, licensing, or residential opportunities for the rest of their lives. Therefore, most jurisdictions permit the sealing of juvenile delinquency records. In such cases, it becomes as though the arrest and conviction never took place. Below is an introduction to sealing juvenile court records.

Your Guide to Sealing Juvenile Delinquency Records

Eligibility

To file this petition, you must be at least 18 years old. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have to wait for a determined period to elapse after the conviction. Additionally, the offense must be one that's minor enough to be expungable. Violent crimes and serious felonies may cause the court to deny your petition. Moreover, the state will expect to see a clean legal history since the relevant offense. If you have since had a series of arrests and convictions as an adult, it may disqualify you.

Process

To petition to seal your juvenile delinquency record, you must approach the juvenile court where the conviction took place. Most jurisdictions have pre-printed forms you can complete and submit with the court clerk. You will have to pay a fee that covers court costs and relevant expenses. The judge will then review the petition to ensure eligibility and will rule on the matter without you having to appear in court. If your record is sealed, you can then legally claim on job applications and other forms that you have no criminal history. However, it may still be visible in some instances, such as if you apply to work for law enforcement or a government agency.

If you wish to seal juvenile delinquency records to protect your privacy, contact James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law in Cincinnati, OH. James is an experienced defense lawyer with more than 10 years of legal expertise. In addition to juvenile delinquency issues, he also specializes in DUIs, boating DUIs, drug offenses, and felonies. Visit their website for more information about his practice areas, or call (513) 503-7251 to arrange a consultation.