Legal Question in Criminal Law in New Jersey

Juvenile Record Expungement

When I was 15 years old, I was arrested on 1 charge by the state police of NJ. I don't remember ever being fingerprinted by the police. My parents hired a lawyer and we went through juvenile court where I was given 200 hours community service and 1 year probation.

I am now 31 years old and have not been arrested for anything since 15 years of age.

My concern is that I am applying for a nursing license in NJ and one of the questions asks where I have ever been charged with a crime. The application also wants me to be fingerprinted so that they can do a criminal background check on me.

Do I have to get my NJ juvenile record expunged so that I can legally answer no the question?

Is my NJ Juvenile record automatically sealed or do I have to get it sealed?

If I don't get it sealed or expunged, will it show up on a criminal history check?


Asked on 10/15/06, 6:07 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Jef Henninger, Esq Law Offices of Jef Henninger, Esq.

Re: Juvenile Record Expungement

The application asks if you have been "charged" with a crime, therefore it is different from being convicted. You were not convicted because you cannot be convicted as a juvenile, but you can be and were charged. If I were you, I would just disclose it and include an explanation. Most of the time, they are more concerned with your honesty than with something you did when you were 15.

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Answered on 10/15/06, 6:31 pm
Gary Moore Gary Moore Attorney At Law

Re: Juvenile Record Expungement

Juvenile offenses are acts of juvenile delinquency. They are not crimes. You have never been convicted of a crime.

Gary Moore, Esquire

Hackensack, New Jersey

www.garymooreattorneyatlaw.com

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Answered on 10/15/06, 10:53 pm


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