Children make mistakes. There are times when these mistakes lead to criminal charges. Like adults that are charged with a crime, these charges can follow the child for years to come. If convicted of criminal charges as a juvenile, the charges go on a person's criminal record. This record can prevent the person from certain educational benefits, job opportunities and more in the future. Therefore, many people want to avoid a criminal record altogether.
If it is not possible for a juvenile to avoid conviction, it still may be possible for a juvenile to clear the person's criminal record. In Oregon, it is possible under certain conditions to expunge a juvenile criminal record.
In order to expunge a juvenile's record, certain requirements must be met. One, the person must be at least 18-years-old and five years must have passed since the person's most recent contact with the juvenile court system. Additionally, the person must not have been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor or a felony since the person's last contact with the juvenile court system, and the person must not be facing any current criminal charges.
Furthermore, there must not be any investigation against the person by law enforcement. Finally, people cannot be facing allegations that they have been subject to abuse, neglect or that they have run away or are beyond parental control.
If people meet all these requirements, then the person needs to file a motion with the court. This motion will expunge the person's record. However, certain criminal charges -- like traffic violations -- cannot be expunged. People should consult with an attorney to determine if they are eligible for an expungement.
Source: Oregon State Bar, "Clearing Your Record," accessed May 2, 2015
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