Despite popular belief, a juvenile offense, such as theft, vandalism or assault, does not simply disappear when you become 18 years of age. A mistake you made when you were still a minor can end up creating a lot of difficulties for you as an adult. You may face difficulties finding employment, housing or education opportunities after a quick background check for past offenses. However, you do not have to let a juvenile record affect your life forever.
You may have the option to seal your juvenile record. Understanding more about sealing a juvenile record could mitigate its impact on your future. Here is what you should know:
What does it mean to seal a juvenile record?
A sealed juvenile record means that your past offenses can not be easily accessed by employers, landlords or schools looking to run background checks on you. A sealed record is, typically, available for people who have met specific conditions. These conditions often include finishing any prior sentences, avoiding further trouble, paying fees, undergoing correctional programs and meeting the waiting period.
Before you request to have your juvenile record sealed, it may be important to understand what a sealed record cannot do. There are some limitations to a sealed juvenile record. In some cases, law enforcement and government agencies may need to access your record for specific reasons.
Sealing your record can help open doors to better opportunities. To see if you qualify for a record sealing, you may need to reach out for legal guidance.