The Massachusetts criminal courts treat juvenile crimes differently than adult criminal offenses. After all, juveniles are still young and may not understand the impact of their choices.
Underage teenagers convicted of juvenile offenses are subject to different penalties than adults in many cases. The state may prioritize providing rehabilitation services instead of imposing punishments. In some cases, the record of a prior conviction is one of the most significant punishments the state imposes. Young adults may struggle to obtain jobs, rent apartments or secure enrollment to college with a criminal record.
Can juvenile offenders count on the state sealing or expunging their records after they turn 18?
Record sealing is not automatic
Young adults do not automatically receive a clean slate if they have a conviction from when they were minors. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to either seal or expunge certain elements of a juvenile criminal record.
Eligibility for either option depends in part on the offense involved and other details. Typically, young adults with juvenile offenses on their record can request record sealing if they wait at least three years after completing their sentence to petition the courts.
Official paperwork is necessary to remove the records of arrests and convictions from a young adult’s criminal record. It is often better to try to avoid a conviction in the first place than to wait years and go through a lengthy court process to correct a record after acquiring one.
Young adults accused of crimes and their parents often need help navigating the juvenile justice system. Securing appropriate support when fighting charges or dealing with the aftermath of a conviction can help families minimize the long-term impact of youthful mistakes and misunderstandings.
