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Will Your Child’s Juvenile Criminal Records Be Expunged When They Become An Adult?
The answer to the question outlined above is complex. But rest assured, if you have a child with a juvenile criminal record, it is very likely that this record will not be a problem for them when they become an adult.
Going over what can happen to your child’s juvenile criminal records when they become an adult and speaking with a juvenile criminal defense lawyer will allow you and your child to obtain the best possible outcome.
What Happens To Your Child’s Juvenile Criminal Records?
Your child’s juvenile criminal records are confidential. What this means is that before your child turns eighteen, the records that refer to any sort of criminal proceedings are inaccessible to most people/organizations.
Just as an example, if your child was arrested for shoplifting, then it’s likely that there is a police record referring to this incident, as well as a court record.
Even though these records exist, generally speaking, there are only five groups of people who have the ability to access them directly. And these groups are as follows:
- Your child.
- You, as the child’s parent or legal guardian.
- The court personnel who are handling or have handled your child’s case.
- The law enforcement officers who are handling or have handled your child’s case.
- The probation officers who are handling, or have handled your child’s case.
Outside of those people, no one has direct access to your child’s juvenile criminal records. And, if someone who does not belong to those groups of people wants to access them, then they must petition the court and obtain a court order from a judge who presides over your child’s case to do so.
Will Your Child’s Juvenile Criminal Records Be Expunged When They Become An Adult?
The answer to the question is “Yes, but only in certain contexts.”
Some juvenile criminal records are automatically expunged when your child becomes an adult. And, this is the case when your child:
- Successfully completes their court-ordered probation.
- Successfully complete their court-ordered probation after admitting to their charges as part of a Deferred Entry Of Judgment.
- Successfully completes their court-ordered pre-petition diversion program.
- Has their case dismissed by the juvenile court.
- Commits an offense that is not outlined within Section 707(b) of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
Outside of that, if your child’s juvenile records are not expunged, they can fill out a form and request that the court do so. If this request is successful, then it will be as if your child never had a criminal record.
On the other hand, if your child is charged as an adult, then the process of expungement is both very different and considerably more challenging. But, if they aren’t, then expungement is relatively easy and simple.
Speak With An Orange County Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Even though expunging a juvenile criminal record is relatively simple and easy, you certainly don’t need to do it alone.
Speak with an Orange County juvenile criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh today, and we will assist you and your child in expunging their criminal record.
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