Children make mistakes, but their mistakes usually don’t haunt them for the rest of their lives. When it comes to criminal arrests and convictions, the same principle does not apply. Read on to learn more about juvenile records, including how long they stay on a juvenile’s record and what you can do to avoid having your child detained after they turn 18.
The criminal records of minors remain permanently in the judicial system. Even when a minor turns eighteen, his criminal record does not disappear. These records are available to the public, including the military, employers, banks, schools, housing complexes, landlords, and the common people who want more information about a person. This means that a criminal record can have a great impact on a person for the rest of their life in various ways, regardless of whether the crimes were committed before they were legal adults.
job
In terms of employment, a person with a history of juvenile delinquency may not be eligible for certain jobs, professional licenses (such as foster parent or child care licenses), and promotions. All an employer has to do is call the courts and request a copy of your criminal record to learn more about them. Then they can use what they find to deny a person a job or a promotion. Depending on the severity of the crimes and convictions, the government may refuse to grant certain professional licenses even if a person completes college classes or vocational courses in the field.
Military and Housing
In military terms, a recruiter can find a juvenile criminal record with no problem. Certain crimes can persuade a military recruiter to deny a person’s enrollment. Housing is another factor. A landlord or mortgage broker can deny a person’s application if it discovers certain crimes in that person’s public criminal record. Even though the arrests, charges, and convictions occurred before they were legal adults, records can (and generally will be) used against them. People with a serious juvenile record may not be able to access government-assisted housing, even if their parents apply.
Public police reports
When a person has a juvenile criminal record, their records are available to the public. In addition, your police reports are also made public and anyone with a computer and internet connection can search and view them. These same reports and records can be used against a person in their adulthood if they are being tried for another crime. Judges, prosecutors, and probation officers can use your criminal record as the basis for defining their orders and requirements, including sentencing, releases, bonds, and probation.
Criminal record expungement and sealing
A new expungement law was recently passed in many states. This means that those who qualify can remove their criminal record from public access. One method is called expungement and the other is called record sealing. Expungement refers to the expungement or removal of criminal convictions and / or arrests from a person’s permanent record. Sealing criminal records means restricting them from certain access. The only authorities that can access sealed records are criminal justice agencies and sometimes child care agencies.
The process required of the petitioner to seal or erase records is very complicated and revolves around a strict schedule that is difficult to follow. A small filing error or a missed deadline, and a person loses the opportunity to seal their public criminal record forever. For these reasons, it is imperative that you enlist the professional legal advice of a licensed attorney who is familiar with expungement laws and who provides filing and petition services.