Can someone’s juvenile court record be sealed or destroyed?
In most cases, the records are automatically destroyed once the juvenile has turned 19 and five years have passed since the last hearing in his or her case. For crimes that would be felonies if committed by an adult, the records remain public just as an adult conviction would (Code of Virginia § 16.1-305 (B1)). The term “expungement” means records of a case are destroyed. In cases where the juvenile is found not guilty or the case is otherwise dismissed, the person may ask to have the records of the case destroyed. The request must be granted unless the Commonwealth’s Attorney shows good cause why the records should be retained. Once records have been destroyed, “the violation of law shall be treated as if it never occurred.” Virginia law requires the court and all law enforcement agencies, if asked, to say that there is no record and permits the person to say that he or she has no record (Code of Virginia § 16.1-306).
