Juvenile Record Seals

The petitioner is required to complete a petition to seal and destroy juvenile arrest records form. Upon completion of the form, if the petitioner never made a court appearance they may petition directly to the law enforcement agency or probation department with jurisdiction over the offense. If a court appearance was made, the petitioner must submit their application to the juvenile court with jurisdiction over the offense. If the petitioner made a court appearance for the arrest, a petition must be sent to the juvenile court. Juvenile record seals are granted by the juvenile court of jurisdiction over the offense. After the court grants the seal, the order is sent to the Department of Justice for sealing. Upon receipt of a petition to seal, DOJ will analyze the order to ensure the petition has the signature of a court official. The order must be checked petition granted. After DOJ seals the record and removes or changes the fingerprint in AFIS, notification is made to the law enforcment agency/court that granted the petition that the arrests were sealed and to seal any all records that pertain to the arrests. DOJ will maintain the sealed packet five years from the date of arrest and then destroy the packet. If there was no court appearance for the arrest, the petitioner may apply directly to the law enforcement or probation department. If the petition to seal is not approved or denied by the law enorcement or district attorney within 60 days the petition is considered denied. The petitioner may then submit their petition to the court with jurisdiction over the offense. The court will notify the District Attorney of the county with jurisdiction over the offense of the hearing date at least 10 days in advance. The District Attorney may present evidence at the hearing to reject the petition. An LEA that receives a juvenile court order seal is required to notify the court they complied with the order. Contact Christine McGuire, criminal defense attorney with regard to Juvenile Record Seals.