Having a juvenile record can impact various aspects of your life. While these records are generally hidden from public view, they can follow you for years and make finding a job, applying to school, applying for housing, and applying for loans difficult if not altogether impossible. However, many people solve this issue through a process called expungement which allows eligible individuals to remove or seal their juvenile criminal records. If you are looking to expunge your juvenile record in New Jersey, it’s in your best interest to contact an adept Bergen County Criminal Defense Attorney today for representation and legal guidance.
What is a juvenile Record?
A juvenile record refers to a detailed history of a minor’s crimes and convictions. If you were arrested or convicted of a criminal offense in New Jersey while you were under the age of 18, the information about your case will be documented in your juvenile record. As mentioned above, a juvenile record can stand in your way. That said, you may wonder whether or not you can erase criminal issues from your past to safeguard your future.
In New Jersey, some crimes are eligible for expungement. When a juvenile record is expunged, it erases the criminal history altogether. The court removes and isolates all records related to the juvenile’s criminal history, including the arrest, court proceedings, and conviction. Essentially, this process makes it so that the conviction never happened. An expungement makes your records invisible to the general public, which means you can apply for jobs, school, and housing without worrying about being rejected for your past indiscretions.
How Can I Expunge My Juvenile Record in NJ?
To prepare your expungement petition and prove your eligibility, you will need to locate your records and all relevant information about your case. From here, you must fill out Form A, Petition for Expungement, which states you are requesting an Expungement Order and why you qualify to have your records expunged. You need to file the petition in the county you were taken into custody as a juvenile. Next, you must complete Form B, Order For Hearing, which is used to schedule a hearing. The judge will usually schedule a hearing between 35 and 60 days after receiving the petition. You will then need to fill out Form C, Expungment Order, which is the official document that the judge will sign your petition for expungement is granted.
You will need to make three copies of your notarized forms. The original two copies should be filed with the court, keep one copy of each for your records. Fill out Form D, the Cover Letter, which explains the contents of your documents and the purpose of the forms to the Superior Court Criminal Case Management Office. Once this is completed, you must pay the associated filing fee of $52.50 by money order or certified check. Mail the copies to the relevant agencies. You will receive the copies back with an assigned docket number. You need to make at least seven copies of each document and mail one to each of the government agencies that were involved in your case.
Finally, you will schedule and attend your hearing. The judge will issue a decision and if your petition is approved you will receive a signed copy of the expungement order. Mail a copy of this document to the agencies listed on page eight of the expungement handbook.
At The Law Office of Carl Spector, we are prepared to shield you from an uncertain future. Connect with our firm today as we can guide you through every step of the expungement process.
