Expunging Your Juvenile Record in PA

Many people believe incorrectly that juvenile arrest and delinquency records are sealed either at a certain time after the resolution of the case or when the juvenile reaches the age of 18. In fact, while juvenile records may not be as publically available as adult records, they can be accessed by certain parties and remain so even after the subject moves into adulthood. As a result, the subject may experience problems when applying for a job, admission to a school or other types of licenses or privileges.

Expungement of juvenile records requires you to pursue expungement proactively. You must file a petition with the court and meet certain requirements:

• The complaint or written allegation against you must have been dismissed by the court or not pursued by the prosecutor; or
• Six months have passed since you successfully completed an informal adjustment and no further charges are pending against you; or
• Six months must have passed since you successfully completed supervision or a diversion program; or
• You have reached the age of 18 and six months have passed since you completed all terms of your sentence for a summary offense or underage possession, consumption or transportation of alcohol; or
• Five years have passed since the final discharge of your sentence and you have not been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor since that time.

Even if you do not meet any of these criteria, you might still have your record expunged with the consent of the district attorney and at the discretion of the court. However, juvenile expungement may not be available under certain circumstances for particularly serious crimes committed by a person 14 years of age or older.

Any former youthful offender now preparing to pursue higher education or to enter the job market should seek expungement of his or her juvenile record. An experienced Berks County expungement attorney can determine if you qualify and assist you throughout the process.