Q: Are juvenile records mostly hidden/confidential from most employers and landlords except for certain government agencies
Are they mostly hidden ? I’m 18 now and only had an arrest at 17 but I never had to go to court and I read online that they are mostly not visible to most employers and landlords execpt for law enforcement agencies or the FBI etc is this true ?
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A:
In California, juvenile records are generally confidential and not available to most employers or landlords. The law specifically protects these records to give young people the chance to move forward without past mistakes following them.
When you were arrested at 17 but didn't go to court, this type of record is particularly well-protected. Even if employers or landlords run background checks, they typically cannot see juvenile records. Only specific government agencies like law enforcement, the FBI, and some state licensing boards can access these records under specific circumstances.
For extra peace of mind, you could consider having your juvenile records sealed now that you're 18. This process makes the records even more secure and inaccessible to outside parties. You can contact your county's juvenile court or public defender's office to learn more about sealing your records, which is often free for eligible cases.
Remember, if anyone asks about past arrests, you can legally answer "no" regarding juvenile incidents in most situations, since these records are protected by law. However, you must disclose juvenile records when applying for government jobs, military service, or positions requiring security clearances.
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