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Criteria vary by jurisdiction but generally include a waiting period, no subsequent offenses, and the nature of the original offense. Records of more severe crimes may not be eligible.

Sealing juvenile records is intended to allow individuals to move on without the burden of past mistakes affecting their future opportunities, especially in areas like employment and education.

The process typically involves petitioning the juvenile court, submitting necessary documentation, and sometimes appearing in court. The process can be complex and may require legal assistance.

Juvenile records are generally treated differently from adult criminal records to account for the rehabilitation goals of the juvenile justice system and the reduced culpability of minors.

Expungement is the complete destruction or removal of records, while sealing restricts access but does not destroy the records. Sealed records may still be available to certain government agencies.

The laws regarding sealing juvenile records are state-specific, meaning each state in the U.S. has its own statutes and regulations that dictate the process and eligibility.

The juvenile court judge typically has the authority to approve or deny the petition to seal juvenile records based on the established criteria and evidence presented.

Although not always required, obtaining legal representation can help navigate the complexities of the sealing process and increase the likelihood of a successful petition.

Once sealed, juvenile records typically do not show up in most background checks and cannot be used against the individual in future legal proceedings, with certain exceptions for serious offenses or other legal contexts.