Will my juvenile record work against me?

Lost girls: Young women face harsher punishment

in Maryland’s juvenile justice system

I got into trouble when I was a teenager. I am now in college and trying to decide on a career. I am interested in becoming an Elementary Education Teacher. Even though I have a juvenile record, will it stop me from having a career in the field I choose?

Thank you.

Chris

Will my juvenile record work against me?

Hello Chris,

That is a very good question. Contrary to what many people believe, your juvenile record does not disappear when you become an adult. My advice to you is apply to have your record sealed by the court. Often felon job searches begin with a little legal assistance.

Once a case is “sealed” and can only be examined by order of the court. To seal a criminal record means that a court clerk is ordered by a judge to hide a court record of criminal proceedings from public view. Originally records were actually placed in an envelope which was secured with a wax seal. The records are not destroyed because under certain circumstances, a court can order that sealed records be reopened. Generally, however, the effect of sealing is the court acts as if the information in the record never existed. Even a juvenile record can be sealed through the juvenile court. Once this has been done, the offense shall be deemed never to have occurred. There are no exceptions to this type of sealing; offenses are treated as though they never happened. A court not only seals its records, but also orders that records containing information about the charges held by others be sealed as well. Once a criminal record is sealed, all of the proceedings in it are treated as if they never occurred. Persons may then properly and lawfully answer any questions about the arrest, acquittal, conviction etc., as if they never happened. For example, it is OK in a job interview or even under oath to deny a sealed conviction. Once a record has been sealed it is not gone. I will be visible to law enforcement, government agencies and the court system.

Check with your local legal aid office for getting help getting this done.