If you have a record from juvenile court, you might be able to clear your record by using your state’s procedures to expunge (seal, or sometimes destroy) that record (Portman, 2014.) Once your record is expunged, in most situations it’s treated as if it never happened (Portman, 2014.) When questioned by potential landlords, employers, some licensing agencies and others, you can legitimately say that you were never arrested or found by a judge to be a delinquent juvenile (Portman, 2014.)
Expunging your record may not universally remove the consequences of having been found to be a juvenile delinquent, however (Portman, 2014.) In many states, if you later commit a criminal offense, your record will be unsealed and considered for purposes of …show more content…
(This assumes, of course, that you didn’t get into trouble after the records were sealed) (Portman, 2014.) If a prospective employer, college, government agency, or other agency or individual runs a criminal background check on you, your juvenile court history should not show up (Portman, …show more content…
Legislators who wrote the expungement laws carved out exceptions for people who later apply to work in particularly sensitive positions, such as in law enforcement or with children or vulnerable adults (Portman, 2014.) The whole purpose of sealing your record is to give a youthful but reformed offender a chance to begin anew (Portman, 2014.) That purpose is not served when the juvenile commits another crime (Portman, 2014.) If you’re charged after sealing your record, it might be unsealed for purposes of charging (many crimes can be charged as more serious offenses when the defendant has a criminal record) (Portman, 2014.) If you’re convicted, your sentence might be enhanced due to your status as a repeat offender (Portman,
Expunging your record may not universally remove the consequences of having been found to be a juvenile delinquent, however (Portman, 2014.) In many states, if you later commit a criminal offense, your record will be unsealed and considered for purposes of …show more content…
(This assumes, of course, that you didn’t get into trouble after the records were sealed) (Portman, 2014.) If a prospective employer, college, government agency, or other agency or individual runs a criminal background check on you, your juvenile court history should not show up (Portman, …show more content…
Legislators who wrote the expungement laws carved out exceptions for people who later apply to work in particularly sensitive positions, such as in law enforcement or with children or vulnerable adults (Portman, 2014.) The whole purpose of sealing your record is to give a youthful but reformed offender a chance to begin anew (Portman, 2014.) That purpose is not served when the juvenile commits another crime (Portman, 2014.) If you’re charged after sealing your record, it might be unsealed for purposes of charging (many crimes can be charged as more serious offenses when the defendant has a criminal record) (Portman, 2014.) If you’re convicted, your sentence might be enhanced due to your status as a repeat offender (Portman,