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The Daily Insight

Can you get a juvenile felony expunged?

Author

Robert Guerrero

Updated on February 20, 2026

Each state sets its own guidelines for what records can be expunged. Q: Are juvenile records expunged? A: Most states have laws that allow, or possibly even require, the expungement of juvenile records once the juvenile reaches a certain age. * Time period required by law has not been met.

Hereof, will a juvenile felony appear in a background check?

Many juvenile records show up on background checks. There are exceptions, though – if the records have been sealed or expunged, they won't show up. Expunging or sealing a juvenile record is incredibly important. Otherwise, any time you authorize a background check, your records will appear – even if you're over 18 now.

Subsequently, question is, can police see expunged juvenile records? Yes, If a juvenile record is expunged, it either means that both the court and police records will be destroyed or they will be fully removed from public inspection and only allowed to be accessed with special permission from the judge.

Hereof, can a juvenile felon own a gun?

For purposes of the law, a person with an erased criminal record does not have a criminal record. Because of this, he is not subject to the gun laws that apply to felons. He can legally own, possess, carry, buy, sell, or transfer firearms (in the absence of some other disqualifier).

How long does it take to expunge a juvenile record?

Different types of juvenile records can be expunged at different times. The process usually takes at least 5 months, but it can take much longer. If you went to court for a case, the charges listed in the outcome or disposition are what you should use to determine whether a record can be expunged.

Related Question Answers

What is the most minor felony?

A Class 4 felony is considered a relatively minor felony. Most states categorize felonies into different categories or classes, usually based on the level of seriousness of the crime. Class 1 felonies are typically the most serious and severe type of felony, and often involve the most serious penalties.

Can I buy a gun with a sealed juvenile record?

California Juvenile's Record May Be Sealed and Still Prohibit Gun Ownership Until 30. Filed under: Juveniles. (d)) mandates that any juvenile adjudged a ward of the court "shall not" own or possess a firearm until the age of 30 "notwithstanding any other provision of law."

Do employers look at juvenile records?

You do not have to tell employers about your juvenile record. It is illegal for an employer to base employment decisions on your juvenile record. On job applications, employers must tell applicants their rights. This includes that you are not required to answer questions about juvenile records.

What happens when a juvenile is charged with a felony?

A minor, someone charged with committing a crime when under age 18, begins his or her case in juvenile court. If the minor is charged with committing a felony when age 15 through 17, his or her case may or must be transferred to adult court (the regular criminal docket in Superior Court) depending on the charge.

Does your youth record go away?

How Long Does a Youth Record Last? Once the access period ends, youth records are sealed and/or destroyed. However, if someone over the age of 18 with an open youth record commits another crime, the youth record will become part of that person's adult record.

Do juvenile charges go away?

Any conviction from the Children's Court is spent after 3 years, if you have not been in any more trouble during those 3 years. Some convictions are never spent and so will remain on your criminal record. These include sexual crimes or crimes where you were imprisoned for more than 6 months.

Does shoplifting stay on your record minor?

If you are a minor, a shoplifting charge may stay on your record for quite some time if you do not go through the expunction process.

Are juvenile adjudications convictions?

A juvenile adjudication is not a criminal conviction. Even though a juvenile adjudication is not a conviction, your unsealed juvenile record could show up on a background check.

Does a felony go away when you turn 18?

Your youth record does NOT automatically disappear when you turn 18. Instead, the law sets out a period in which the record is open and can be accessed by people that are authorized by the law, like the Crown Attorney, before it is sealed. The relevant law is called the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Does your record get clean when you turn 18?

Any conviction as an adult is spent after 10 years. Some convictions are never spent and will remain on your criminal record. These include sexual crimes where you were imprisoned or crimes where you were imprisoned for more than 24 months as a youth (under 18 years old).

Do felony charges ever go away?

Does a Felony Ever Go Away? A felony charge will stay on your record for life. The only way to remove a felony from your record is through a strict process called expungement (more on expungement below).

Do sealed records show up on background checks?

Will my sealed criminal records show up on a background check? Sealed convictions should not show up on any background check run by an employer or licensing agency, unless you are applying for a job as a police officer or a peace officer or you are applying for gun license.

Can you be a police officer with a juvenile felony?

Any person convicted of a felony (or of a crime in another jurisdiction that would be a felony in California) is prohibited from employment as a California peace officer [Cal. Govt Code§1029(a)]. Therefore, juvenile convictions are not included as a legal bar to appointment as a peace officer.

How much does it cost to seal a juvenile record?

Youth must pay their fines, but may do so after sealing their juvenile records. The second new law, SB 504, waives all court, county and city fees for anyone under age 26 seeking to seal a juvenile record. These fees can range up to $150, which can be a financial hardship for youth.

Can police see expunged records?

Police cannot see expunged records. That's because when a court expunges your records, your files are destroyed or returned to you. It's like you never had a criminal record in the first place.

What age does your criminal record get wiped?

18

Can the FBI see expunged juvenile records?

Records of juvenile convictions and detention that have been sealed by a court typically do not appear in such a search. An FBI background check is typically used to screen candidates for federal government agencies and companies that work with and for them.

Why are juvenile records sometimes sealed or expunged?

Most states let you seal or expunge records of certain juvenile offenses, essentially wiping them off the books. Expungement typically allows offenders to tell prospective employers, landlords, licensing agencies, and others that they have never been arrested or convicted.

What does it mean to seal a juvenile record?

Sealing juvenile records refers to closing them to the public, while expunging requires their complete physical destruction. Automatically sealing or expunging records requires no action by the juvenile.

Are juvenile mental health records sealed?

Juvenile records are sealed once you reach the age of consent.. If it was just an evaluation, then more than likely no paperwork was turned in on you