Q: Is my juvenile arrest record visible to most employers/ landlords etc ? Now that I’m 18 and have been clean since ?
I was 17 and got arrested for something minor, (Stolen car) and I got fingerprinted and my mugshot taken and went to jail for a few hours then sent home, I never had to go to court but now I’m 18 I’m wondering if that arrest is visible to most people , Employers, Landlords etc ? Or is it sealed and hidden ? I haven’t went to a courthouse to petition for it to be sealed but am wondering if it’s hidden/sealed anyways since I turned 18?
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
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- Answered
A:
In California, juvenile records don't automatically become sealed when you turn 18. Your arrest record from age 17 might still be visible to employers and landlords unless you take specific steps to seal it.
The good news is that you can petition the court to seal your juvenile records since your case involved arrest without court proceedings. When sealed, the records become confidential and won't show up in most background checks. This means potential employers, landlords, and others won't be able to see them.
To seal your records, you'll need to file paperwork with the juvenile court in the county where you were arrested. Since you've stayed out of trouble, you have strong chances of getting your records sealed. Consider reaching out to your local public defender's office or legal aid organization - they often help young people navigate this process for free or at low cost.
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