Expungement for Juvenile Charges in Tennessee

 Posted on August 22, 2024 in Criminal Defense

A criminal record can hang over you for many years after the crime you may have committed and after you have served your sentence. Certain charges can hang over you, staining your reputation for the rest of your life. If you were a troubled youth who has turned your life around, it can be upsetting to feel like you need to keep paying for the mistakes you made as a kid. Expungement can be a great way to turn the page and have a fresh start. If you have a juvenile criminal record, speak with a qualified Jefferson City, TN criminal defense lawyer about whether you might be entitled to expungement.

What is Expungement?

Expungement is when a criminal record is sealed or erased. It means that the record is removed from public access and it is as if it never happened. This legal process helps individuals move on from past mistakes and can improve their lives in many ways, including:

• Employment: Criminal records can make it difficult to get hired. Since many employers conduct background checks, having a clean record can improve your chances of finding employment.

• Education: A clean record can help your chances of getting accepted to college, as well as other educational opportunities. Schools often examine an applicant’s criminal background, but if your record is expunged, the mistakes of your past will not be an issue.
• Housing: Some residential areas require background checks for residents to be approved. An expunged record means you will not lose out on housing opportunities because of your past.

Not all charges can be expunged. In Tennessee, certain juvenile records can be expunged if the person meets specific criteria, including:

• They were convicted of or pleaded guilty to only one crime. Certain traffic violations are not considered in this case.
• They have completed their sentence, probation, or parole period no less than five years ago. 
• They have paid all fines and court costs associated with their charges.

Legal Process for Expungement

To get your juvenile criminal record expunged, you need to file a petition for expungement in the court that handled your case, including information about the charges and proof that all requirements have been met. The court will review your petition and decide whether or not to grant it. The judge will consider factors like the nature of the offense and how you have conducted yourself since. If your request for expungement is approved, the record will be sealed from public view, meaning it won’t appear in background checks.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Dandridge, TN Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have a juvenile criminal record, speak with an experienced Jefferson County, TN criminal defense attorney to see if you are eligible for expungement. At The Baker Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping our clients move forward from problems they faced in the past. Call us at 865-200-4117 so we can see how our services can help you get the best outcome.