Texas Attorneys Explain Juvenile Criminal Records and Expungement

Texas Attorneys Explain Juvenile Criminal Records and Expungement

Having a criminal record as a juvenile can make life more difficult when applying to college, looking for a job, or renting an apartment. However, in Texas, there are ways to seal or expunge your juvenile record. This article explains what a juvenile record is, who can access it, and how to get it sealed or expunged in Texas.

What is a Juvenile Record in Texas?

A juvenile record is created when someone under age 17 is arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime in Texas. Juvenile records may include:

• Basic information like name, birthdate, address
• Details about arrests, charges, and detention
• Court documents
• Disposition status (whether the case was dismissed, etc.)
• Treatment records
• Academic records

Juvenile records are generally confidential, but there are some exceptions where certain agencies or individuals may access them (more on that below).

Who Has Access to Juvenile Records in Texas?

While juvenile records are confidential, the following people/agencies can access them:

• Law enforcement officials
• Prosecutors
• Probation officers
• Corrections officers
• Juvenile justice officials
• Military recruiters (with permission)
• Federal agencies (with authorization)

However, access to sensitive information like counseling or drug treatment records is limited to authorized personnel only.

Sealing Juvenile Records in Texas

Sealing your juvenile record in Texas makes it inaccessible without a court order. There are two ways records can be sealed:

Automatic Sealing

Your juvenile record is automatically sealed when you turn 18 if:

• You were only charged with a status offense like truancy or running away
• You were charged but not convicted of a misdemeanor

If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, your record seals automatically at age 19.

Petition to Seal

If your situation does not fit the above criteria, you can petition the court to seal your records if:

• You are at least 18 years old
• At least 2 years have passed since your case ended
• You have no pending criminal charges
• You are not required to register as a sex offender

The court will decide whether to seal the records after a hearing.

Benefits of Sealing

Once records are sealed:

• Your juvenile adjudication is vacated (voided)
• You can legally deny your juvenile record exists
• The record cannot be used against you

This allows you to get a fresh start!

Expunging Juvenile Records

Expunging goes a step further than sealing by completely destroying your juvenile record. You can typically expunge Class C misdemeanors and other minor offenses from municipal or justice courts. Requirements may include:

• Being at least 17 years old
• Only having one conviction
• Offense was minor and only punishable by fine

Talk to a lawyer to see if you’re eligible for expungement to erase your juvenile record.

Conclusion

Having a juvenile record doesn’t have to hold you back forever. Consult with a criminal defense attorney to understand your options for sealing or expunging your record. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Ned Barnett have helped many Texans move on from youthful mistakes through these processes. Contact us or call (713) 222-6767 for a free case review.