How Can I Expunge My Juvenile Record? Mdcourts.gov This brochure is about expunging juvenile records about you from Maryland court and police records only. Who uses expungement? Answer: Defendants in Maryland criminal cases or individuals with a Maryland juvenile record. This brochure has information on expunging juvenile records only. If you want to expunge adult criminal records, see the brochure How Can I Expunge My Criminal Record? What is a juvenile record? Answer: A court record and police record about a child who: - has been alleged or adjudicated delinquent; - has been alleged or adjudicated in need of supervision; - has received a citation for a violation. I have a juvenile record. Can I file for expungement? Yes, if: ALL of the following are true: o You are at least 18 years old; o At least two years have passed since the last official action in your juvenile record; o You have never been adjudicated delinquent or you have not been adjudicated delinquent more than once; o You have not been convicted of any offense since your juvenile case; o You do not have a pending delinquency petition or criminal charge; o You have not been adjudicated delinquent for an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony, a crime of violence, or a fourth degree sexual offense; o You were not required to register in Maryland as a sex offender; o You have not been adjudicated delinquent for an offense involving the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence; o You have fully paid any monetary restitution ordered by the court in the delinquency case. AND ONE of the following occurred: o The Office of the State's Attorney entered a nolle prosequi; o The delinquency or child in need of supervision petition or citation was dismissed; o The court, in an adjudicatory hearing, did not find that the allegations in the petition or citation were true; o An adjudicatory hearing was not held within two years after the petition or citation was filed; o The court, in a disposition hearing, found that you did not require guidance, treatment or rehabilitation; o The court, in a disposition hearing, found that you did require guidance, treatment or rehabilitation. In reviewing your petition for expungement, the court must consider EACH of the following: - Your best interests; - Your stability in the community; - The safety of the public. How do I file for expungement? - Fill out a Petition for Expungement of Juvenile Records (Form JUV -11-506.1). - File the completed and signed Petition for Expungement in person or by mail with the Clerk's office of the court in which the petition or citation was filed. - If required by law, the court will send a copy of your petition to: - certain victims in your case; - certain family members of the victim; - the Office of the State's Attorney. The court may or may not schedule a hearing. - If no one files an objection, the court may grant your petition without a hearing. - If you did not meet the requirements of the law, the court may deny your petition without a hearing. If your petition for expungement is denied, you may appeal the court's decision. For more information Read the law Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-8A-27.1 People's Law Library of Maryland peoples-law.org/introductionjuvenile-record-expungement Family & Juvenile Services, Maryland Judiciary mdcourts.gov/family/juvrecordexpungement Court forms mdcourts.gov/courtforms Public law libraries mdcourts.gov/lawlib or call 410-260-1430