How to Seal a Juvenile Record

    MIAMI, FL, November 20, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In nearly all juvenile crime cases, you have a right to seal your records. Your juvenile record will contain all of the details surrounding your crime including interactions with law enforcement, criminal proceedings, and punishments. It will also contain paperwork from any agency you dealt with during all of the phases of your rehabilitation such as probation and counseling records. A juvenile record is not as damaging as an adult criminal record, but can still interfere with certain jobs, and other aspects of your future.

Sealing Your Juvenile Record

In most states, you can petition to have your juvenile record sealed five years after the crime was committed, or once you have turned 18, whichever comes first. Sealing your record as soon as possible is always preferable to help prevent unnecessary complications with your adult life.

To have your record sealed, you must prove to the court that you have been rehabilitated. This will include showing that you have not committed any crimes involving violence, theft, fraud, drugs, or sex since your juvenile crime. In addition, you cannot have any outstanding fines either related to your crime or other instances including traffic violations. You must also show that there is no current civil litigation involving your juvenile crime.

Some courts will require a minimum period of good behavior prior to sealing your record. In these instances, you may have to wait a bit longer to have your record sealed, and must meet the above criteria. Because the purpose of juvenile sentencing is to rehabilitate child offenders and prevent them from leading a life of crime, the court will need to be convinced that you have learned your lesson, and are prepared to be a responsible and productive adult.

Sealing your juvenile criminal record is always optimal. A juvenile criminal record can make it difficult to move on with your life, interfering with things as varied as school applications and your ability to get a loan. Chances are your juvenile crime was an error of youth. You deserve a fresh start. Sealing your juvenile crime record can help ensure the mistakes of your youth do not haunt you for the rest of your life.

If you live in or around Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm, or Ft. Myers, Florida and would like more information about sealing your juvenile crime record, please visit the website of the Cochran Firm South Florida to learn more at http://cochranfirmsouthflorida.com.

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