Criminal Defense Lawyers

Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help with Expunging Juvenile Records in New York?

Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help with Expunging Juvenile Records in New York?

Introduction

If you or your child has a juvenile criminal record in New York, you may be wondering if it’s possible to get that record sealed or expunged. The good news is that in many cases, juvenile records can be sealed, giving you a fresh start without the burden of a criminal history following you into adulthood. However, the process of sealing juvenile records in New York can be complex. That’s where our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Spodek Law Group come in. With our help, we can guide you through the juvenile record sealing process and improve your chances of success.

What Are Juvenile Records in New York?

First, it’s important to understand what qualifies as a juvenile record in New York. In general, a juvenile record includes criminal charges and convictions that occurred before the age of 16. These records are typically handled in Family Court rather than adult criminal court. There are a few different categories of juvenile records in New York:

• Juvenile Delinquent: If you were under age 16 and convicted of a crime that would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult, you may have been adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent. These records are usually automatically sealed.
• Youthful Offender: 16, 17 and 18 year olds who commit crimes may be adjudicated as a Youthful Offender in adult criminal court. Like juvenile delinquency records, these are usually sealed automatically.
• Juvenile Offender: For very serious felonies, 13-15 year olds may be tried as adults in criminal court and deemed juvenile offenders. These records usually cannot be sealed.

As you can see, most juvenile records are sealed automatically in New York, with the exception of Juvenile Offender cases involving serious felonies. However, mistakes happen, and sometimes juvenile records that should be sealed are left open. That’s where petitioning the court to seal the record comes in.

The Impact of a Juvenile Record

You may be wondering, how much does a juvenile record really matter? The truth is, while juvenile records are not as publicly accessible as adult criminal records, they can still have a major impact on your life. Juvenile records may still show up on background checks for things like employment, housing, higher education, financial aid, and military service.Having a juvenile record can make it harder to get a job, rent an apartment, get into college, or enlist in the armed forces. It can also impact your ability to obtain professional licenses or work with children. While you may not have to disclose a sealed juvenile record in most situations, some exceptions exist, such as when applying for jobs in law enforcement.The bottom line is that the consequences of a juvenile record can follow you well into adulthood, making it harder to move forward with your life. That’s why it’s so important to explore your options for sealing juvenile records with the help of a knowledgeable attorney.

Sealing Juvenile Records in New York

So how does the juvenile record sealing process work in New York? The first step is determining eligibility. As mentioned above, many juvenile records are automatically sealed once the case is closed. However, if the record was not sealed for some reason, you may need to file a motion in court to have it sealed.To be eligible for sealing, you must be at least 16 years old. If you are filing to seal a Juvenile Delinquency record, you can file the motion in Family Court. For Youthful Offender records, you would need to file in the adult Criminal Court that handled your case.The sealing process involves submitting a formal motion or petition to the court, along with supporting documentation. You must serve a copy of the motion on the District Attorney’s office that prosecuted your case. The DA’s office has the right to object to the sealing.Some factors the court may consider when deciding whether to grant the sealing include:

• The amount of time that has passed since the offense
• The seriousness of the offense
• Your age and maturity at the time of the offense
• Your overall criminal history
• Evidence of rehabilitation, such as employment, schooling, or community involvement

If the court approves your motion, the record will be sealed. A sealed record is treated as though the arrest and prosecution never occurred. In most cases, you do not have to disclose a sealed record, and it should not show up on background checks (with a few exceptions).

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Sealing a juvenile record in New York is a complex process with a lot of paperwork involved. The forms and procedures can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if you have never dealt with the legal system before. Any mistakes or omissions in your paperwork can lead to a denial of your sealing request.That’s where hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference. At Spodek Law Group, our attorneys have helped many clients successfully seal their juvenile records. We understand the juvenile justice system in New York and the record sealing process inside and out.Here are some of the ways our criminal defense lawyers can assist with sealing your juvenile record:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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• Determine your eligibility for sealing. We can review the details of your case and criminal history to confirm whether you are eligible to have your juvenile record sealed.
• Prepare and file the necessary paperwork. Sealing a juvenile record involves submitting a formal motion or petition to the court, along with supporting documentation. We can handle all the paperwork for you, making sure everything is filled out accurately and completely.
• Serve the District Attorney. For your sealing request to move forward, the DA’s office that prosecuted your case must be formally served a copy of the motion. We can take care of serving the DA for you.
• Appear in court on your behalf. In most cases, you will not need to appear in court for a juvenile record sealing. We can appear before the judge to argue in favor of sealing your record.
• Provide supporting evidence and testimony. To give you the best chance of success, we can help gather evidence of your rehabilitation, including proof of employment, schooling, volunteer work, and character references. We can also provide testimony to the court on your behalf.
• Protect your rights. We will make sure your rights are protected throughout the sealing process and that you are treated fairly by the court system.

Our goal is to make the juvenile record sealing process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you. With our help, you can put your past mistakes behind you and move forward with a clean slate.

Conclusion

A juvenile criminal record can be a major obstacle to moving forward with your life, even years down the road. But you don’t have to let youthful mistakes define your future. In New York, many juvenile records can be sealed, giving you a fresh start.If you or your child has a juvenile record in New York, don’t try to navigate the complex sealing process on your own. The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Spodek Law Group are here to help. We have a track record of success in getting juvenile records sealed for our clients.Don’t let a juvenile record hold you back any longer. Contact the Spodek Law Group today at 212-300-5196 or visit our website at https://www.federallawyers.com to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. We’ll review your case, advise you of your options, and guide you through every step of the juvenile record sealing process. With our help, you can put your past behind you and build a brighter future.