Juvenile Justice Records: Sealing and Restricted Access
This article provides information on access to or expungement of juvenile justice records in Texas. This material is excerpted from a brochure by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
Anyone who was taken into custody or referred to court for delinquent conduct may have a juvenile record.
Such conduct may include:
- class A or B misdemeanors,
- felony offenses, or
- conduct indicating a need for supervision (CINS),
- including class C misdemeanors and conduct that would not be against the law if committed by an adult (like drinking or running away), or
- certain specific offenses such as prostitution and “sexting.”
For a more in-depth explanation, see A Juvenile’s Guide to Understanding Sealing and Restricted Access, a publication by the Texas Juvenile Justice System.
While juvenile records are generally confidential, there are certain exceptions that allow police, prosecutors, probation officers, health and human services agencies, education entities, and other criminal and juvenile justice officials in Texas and elsewhere to have access.
Sealing and restricted access are important ways available by law to protect your records and limit who can access them.
For a more in-depth explanation, see A Juvenile’s Guide to Understanding Sealing and Restricted Access, a publication by the Texas Juvenile Justice System.
CLICK HERE For the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's brochure about juvenile records.