Can juvenile records be sealed?
Depending on the circumstances, many juvenile cases can be sealed. In a misdemeanor adjudication with a finding of delinquent conduct, there is a two year waiting period before the records may be sealed. The statute’s states the judge shall seal the records if (1) two years have elapsed since final discharge for a non-felony offense and (2) there have been no convictions or adjudications on any charge since final discharge and no such action is pending. If the adjudication is for a felony offense, the sealing is discretionary for the court (may or may not be granted) and the child must wait until he or she is at least 21 years of age and there can be no convictions or adjudications on any charge since final discharge and no such action pending. However, in a “determinate sentencing” case, these records may never be sealed. Another possibility of sealing records without waiting either 2 years or until age 21 exists where there is no adjudication, i.e., no finding of delinquent conduct.
