Seal your juvenile record.
Put your childhood mistakes behind you.
Washington Juvenile Record Sealing
A common misunderstanding in Washington is that a juvenile criminal record automatically gets sealed when you turn 18. This is not true; if you have a juvenile record, this information is visible on any background check forever. This puts you at a disadvantage in the job market, when applying for student loans and housing assistance. The only way to seal your record is to take a specific series of actions.
We can seal your juvenile record so that it is like it never existed. For example, if any of the involved law enforcement agencies are contacted regarding your juvenile record, they would have to reply that "they have no record of the matter." All the details of your juvenile offenses will also be deleted from the national databases used for background checks. Lastly, you will be able to legally and honestly state that you have never been adjudicated or arrested on job and housing applications.
Our law firm specializes in juvenile record sealing in the state of Washington, and we pride ourselves on consistently producing positive outcomes for our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clear my juvenile record?
If you qualify, you can clear your juvenile record. This will require you to ask the court to “seal” your juvenile record by filing a motion with the court.
Does my juvenile record show up on background checks?
In Washington, juvenile court records do not automatically disappear when you turn 18. In fact, almost all your juvenile records remain open for the public to view, unless you ask a court to have your record sealed.
Will my juvenile record affect college admission?
Over 600 colleges and universities use the Common Application, which includes a check box asking applicants about any past juvenile crimes. Of those, about 20% of colleges have denied admission based on the young person's record.
Will my juvenile record student loan applications?
Yes, it can impede your ability to obtain student loans, at least for a period of time depending on the type of student aid you are applying for.
Does my juvenile record negatively affect my credit report?
Criminal records are not on your consumer credit report. They can be included in background checks, which are usually for employment purposes. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the employer must have the consumer's written authorization to conduct a background check.