Someone’s entire life shouldn’t be defined by their youthful mistakes – but a New Jersey juvenile record doesn’t simply disappear when a child becomes an adult.
There is no automatic expungement when a minor reaches their 18th birthday. They also do not disappear when probation, supervision or another court-ordered supervision ends. Clearing the record generally requires a separate legal process.
Confidential doesn’t mean closed
Broadly speaking, New Jersey safeguards juvenile court, probation and law enforcement records from general public inspection. This provides minors with a lot more privacy than adults receive when they’re involved in the criminal justice system.
However, juvenile records will usually be accessible to the courts and law enforcement agencies and officers, or through a court order, whether the juvenile was adjudicated delinquent or not. A confidential juvenile record may still become relevant when someone tries to join the military, applies for government jobs or seeks a career that requires a professional license. That makes expungement desirable, especially when a young adult is trying to put their youthful offenses behind them.
Juvenile records can be expunged no sooner than three years after the juvenile’s discharge from supervision or state custody or three years after the entry of another court order that does not involve such supervision or custody. In addition:
- There must have been no new charges, convictions or other disqualifying events during that three-year period.
- The subject in question must have completed all the terms tied to the disposition of their case, including restitution or community service obligations.
- The case is not disqualified from expungement due to its nature, which is possible with some serious offenses, such as murder.
Just because a case was processed through juvenile court doesn’t make its adjudication eligible for expungement. An attorney familiar with juvenile law and expungement can review the situation, determine the legal requirements for a successful application and help pursue the appropriate relief.