When a juvenile is adjudicated delinquent he/she can seek an expungement if that juvenile act would have been a(n): crime, disorderly person’s offense, ordinance violation as if the acts had been committed by an adult. Generally, juveniles that were adjudicated delinquent may have their entire record of delinquency expunged if:
- It has been five or more years since the petitioner’s final discharge from custody/supervision, or it has been at least five years after the entry of any other court order, not involving custody/supervision; and,
- The petitioner has not been convicted of: (a) a crime, a disorderly persons offense, or (b) adjudicated delinquent, or (c) in need of supervision, during the previous 5 years, and no criminal proceeding or complaint is pending seeking a conviction or adjudication; and,
- The petitioner has never been adjudicated a juvenile delinquent on the basis of an act which, if committed by an adult, would be ineligible for expungement (listed at N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2); and,
- The petitioner has never had an adult conviction expunged; and,
- The petitioner has never had adult criminal charges dismissed, following completion of a supervisory treatment or other diversionary program.
The Expungement Process can give the petitioner (delinquent) the clean slate that they need to move forward with life.