Sealing Juvenile Arrest Records

Teenagers are often noted for their careless behavior. While the careless actions of most teens is nothing more than a minor nuisance, some teens find themselves facing criminal charges in juvenile court as a result of their reckless decisions. If you have a juvenile record, sealing this record could be a great way to give yourself a fresh start in life.

Here are three conditions that must be met in order to successfully seal juvenile arrest records in a court of law.

1. You must be old enough to request the sealing of your records.

In order for you to be eligible to seek the sealing of your juvenile arrest record, you must be old enough. For most states, the court requires that an individual is at least 18 years of age (considered to be a legal adult) before a petition to seal his or her juvenile arrest record can be made.

If you have reached the legal age limit, you can partner with an attorney who specializes in criminal law to seal your juvenile record so your youthful mistakes don't affect your future as an adult.

2. Your crimes must be eligible for sealing.

Another important factor that will be used when determining if your juvenile arrest record can be sealed is the severity of the crimes you committed as a minor. Trivial offenses and misdemeanors can usually be sealed with no problem, but some states may limit an individual's ability to seal crimes that would be considered felonies if committed by an adult.

If you are unsure whether or not your crimes are eligible for sealing, it can be beneficial to discuss the details of your past with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

3. You must not have additional arrests or convictions.

Juvenile records are sealed to prevent youthful mistakes from plaguing individuals who have reformed as they transition into adulthood. In order to show that your records are eligible for sealing, you will likely need to show that you don't have any additional arrests or convictions as an adult.

Proving that you are a law abiding citizen can go a long way toward convincing a judge that your juvenile records should be sealed.

Once you are able to understand some of the conditions that must be met in order for your juvenile record to be sealed, you can determine if you are a candidate for sealing. Contact a reliable criminal attorney for assistance in petitioning the court to have your juvenile arrest record sealed in the future.