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How to Seal a Juvenile Record

Your child’s juvenile court conviction is not considered criminal, so it should not be available to colleges, vocational schools or future employers. However, it is possible to get a juvenile record “sealed,” which means that the case is treated as though it never occurred. This not only makes it easier for your child to get a driver’s license, find employment, or qualify for a loan—but it also allows them to answer “no” truthfully when asked about arrests or a criminal record.

Juvenile records are not automatically sealed. It is best to have a qualified juvenile defense attorney petition the court to seal your son or daughter’s records. At the Law Offices of Katie Walsh, we help you seal a child’s legal record to prevent a costly adolescent decision from marring an otherwise-bright future.

The Record Sealing Process for OC Juvenile Offenders

If the Orange County Court grants a request to seal your child’s juvenile record, any records held by the police, court, district attorney or probation department are sealed and ultimately destroyed. The court proceedings are treated as if they never occurred. If a person or agency inquires about your son or daughter’s juvenile record, California law requires agencies to respond that they “have no record of the matter.” It is as if your child was never arrested, and he or she is authorized by law to say that they have never been convicted of a crime.

Should I Seal a Juvenile Record?

The answer to this is almost always “yes.” A juvenile record can carry significant consequences, impacting the ability to secure employment, attend a college of choice, or apply for graduate, medical or law school. The California legislature enacted the law enabling adolescents to seal their juvenile records so young offenders could begin adulthood with a clean slate.

Am I Eligible to Have My Juvenile Records Sealed?

Your son or daughter is eligible to have their record sealed if:

  • They are at least 18 years old. If they are younger than 18, five years must have passed since their last arrest or discharge from probation.
  • They have not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving “moral turpitude” since their last arrest or probation discharge. Crimes of moral turpitude include voluntary manslaughter, murder, aggravated assault, etc.
  • They can prove to the court that they have been “rehabilitated.”
  • Their case started and ended in juvenile court.
  • They do not have an open civil suit regarding the actions on their juvenile record.

Certain juvenile records are not sealable. Serious and violent crimes like murder, arson, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, car jacking and some gun charges are generally unable to be sealed, but your child’s age at the time of the offense may factor into this decision.

Begin the Juvenile Record-Sealing Process

It is wise to hire an experienced attorney to do so on your behalf. When you trust the Law Offices of Katie Walsh with your child’s legal defense, they will help your son or daughter file a record-sealing petition. Together, you will attend the court hearing that determines the petition outcome. If a judge decides to seal your child’s record, all related documentation is destroyed after five years.

Offering a free consultation for OC families, Katie Walsh helps young adults reclaim their lives and reputations by petitioning for record sealing. Relying on her extensive juvenile justice experience, she advocates for your child and serves as a confidante for your family when you need it most. Learn more about her Orange County legal expertise by clicking here, or call (714) 351-0178 today.

Client Reviews

I hired attorney Katie Walsh to help my son when he was found with a large amount of drugs on school campus. She got us through the Expulsion Hearing, and miraculously he can go back to school at the winter semester...

AR- parent of minor client

I hired Katie Walsh to have my felony convictions expunged. She was able to expunge my record within 6 weeks of me giving her all the information. Even though technically I had a probation violation, and therefore the...

AR, criminal client

My 16 year old son was charged with possession of Marijuana, HS 11357(b). I was very concerned about what would happen to him and how this would affect his future. I contacted Ms. Walsh and she assured me that everything...

CT, parent of juvenile client

My child was charged with Felony Penal Code 597(a)- Animal Cruelty. After hiring Katie Walsh, she got the charges reduced to a misdemeanor, counseling, and 40 hours of chores at home. We come back in 6 months and the...

DH - Parent of Juvenile client

I hired Katie Walsh to represent my son on sexual abuse allegations- P.C. 288(a) and P.C. 288(b)- they were Strike Charges. After negotiating with the D.A., she got all the strike charges dismissed, and got my son...

DR- mother of juvenile client

Katie Walsh was fantastic throughout this entire process! My 13 year old son was charged with two counts of lewd act on a minor, PC 288(a) and was in juvenile hall. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she GOT MY SON OUT OF JAIL and...

EG, parent of juvenile client

My 14 year old son was arrested at school for P.C. 311 (child pornography). My son had innocent and stupid nude pictures of himself and friends on his phone. Ms. Walsh was extremely easy to talk to, and made my son feel...

GK,TK, parents of juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was a life saver when I didn't know what was going on, or how to handle the situation. My young daughter was attacked at her middle school and was seriously injured. At a time when both the school and the...

HA, mother of 13 year old Victim Rights client

I hired Katie Walsh to seal my juvenile record of PC 288(a) (lewd act on a minor), after my request had been denied by a Judge and by the Probation Department. After speaking with Probation, the DA and the Judge at a...

JW, former juvenile client

I was charged with a Felony Conspiracy charge- PC 182. After hiring Ms. Walsh she got my charged reduced to a misdemeanor right away, and now I just have to do community service and in 6 months my entire case will be...

KP, juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was like a breath of fresh air throughout this entire process. I was uncertain about the outcome, but she told me everything would be ok- and it was. She had my juvenile record sealed within 3 months of...

LR, former juvenile client

Ms. Walsh got the judge to terminate my son's probation and seal his 2 juvenile cases (Penal Code 288(a) and Penal Code 242) even though he had violated my probation by picking up a new case. By getting his record sealed...

MB- mother of juvenile client

At a very difficult time in my life I contacted attorney Katie Walsh. I am a teacher and was being harassed/stalked by a parent at my school. I wanted a Restraining Order against this person. Ms. Walsh listened to me...

MB, restraining order client

My son was charged with Lewd Conduct, P.C. 647 out of Downey, CA. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she spoke with the District Attorney, Probation, and the Judge. Even though the judge was not pleased with the offer, she was able...

MG, parent of minor

It is with sincere gratitude that I send this recommendation As a parent of a child that was arrested on a Felony Domestic Abuse charge and over 2000 miles away I had to rely on friend of a friends word that you would...

MPF, mother of criminal client

I really liked having Ms. Walsh as my attorney. She visited me in Juvenile Hall. I was charged with four counts of Robbery (Penal Code 211). This was my 8th juvenile petition. Ms. Walsh got 2 of the robbery charges...

MU, juvenile client

I was arrested for a felony Domestic charge, PC 273.5(a). After I hired Katie Walsh, my entire case was dismissed. I never had to appear in court. I felt very comfortable with Ms. Walsh- she was easy to speak with...

NF, criminal client

Katie was instrumental in helping me with a criminal matter as an advocate for me and my children when I was a named victim in a DV case. She patiently and expediently addressed all of my questions and was an invaluable...

RG

My daughter was pulled over arrested for having a Fake ID. After hiring Ms. Walsh my daughter did not have to plead guilty- which would have affected her license status. She did community service, completed a legal...

RS

My 14 year old daughter was involved in an assault and battery- PC 240/242, in Irvine. After hiring Katie Walsh the case was not referred to Court. My daughter was able to complete a class and the case will be dismissed...

SG, mother a juvenile client

My son was charged with possession of Child Pornography P.C. 311.11(a) - a charge I did not realize a child could be guilty of! As parents were beside ourselves when we found this out, and contacted Katie Walsh. She...

SH- mother of juvenile client

From San Diego I contacted Ms. Walsh about sealing my juvenile record in Orange County regarding a Petty Theft charge. She was always very responsive to any of my questions, and consistently kept me updated. Even though...

XL, juvenile client

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