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Question: If I get my juvenile record expunged, can I then state the crime wasn't committed -(for example: on an application)?; If not, what good is it to expunge them?

Answer: Be careful with this topic! A crime can be erased from your file's history [or taken off of your 'record'], but a specific act you have taken cannot be erased from your own history. Once you commit an ACT [in your example, a crime], you can never erase that ACT from your past [in your example, say that you did not commit a crime]. HOWEVER, when your file is 'expunged', you will no longer have a record of your crime in your file.

Arizona Law (A.R.S. § 8-349) states the rule on how to destroy a juvenile's court records, or 'expunging' one's file. If you satisfy all of the requirements of this Law [be at least 19 years of age, not have been convicted of a felony offense, there are no criminal charges pending, and completing all of the terms and conditions of court ordered probation] then you could get your file erased. What this means is you have no criminal history - so when you are filling out an application and you get to a question on your criminal history - you can honestly say that you don't have a criminal history. [Many times the question is phrased around the commission of a crime as an adult, in any event.] 'Expunging' is a benefit, then, because it allows you to clean up your criminal past and start fresh without a criminal past.

When someone asks you if you've committed a crime, you can answer that you have no criminal history. That would be true. But again - the actual act never disappears.


Comments
6 thru 10 of 15 comments
On 01/26/06
Regina from CA said:
If I get my juvenile record expunged. Can I apply as a police officer without them finding out my past as a juvenile
On 12/08/05
mirna from CA said:
if i get my juvenile record expunged. would this mean that if i apply for a police job i could tell them that i have no criminal back ground with out them finding out the truth.
On 08/25/05
Destiny from AZ said:
i am in a program at school and i wanted to post so hi!!!
On 03/05/05
Name Withheld from SD said:
I'm currently a convicted felon on the run. If I say what I did, they may trace me. But could I have my current crime expunged?
On 11/05/04
FB from CT said:
I was charged with a domestic crime, disorderly conduct. Is there any way i can have that taken of my record? And if not how long will it take to go away? Or how long until i can own guns again?
6 thru 10 of 15 comments



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