How do I petition the court to have my juvenile delinquency records sealed in California?

To seal your juvenile delinquency records, you must file a petition with the juvenile court in the county where your case was handled. The court will then hold a hearing to decide whether to grant your request. Here are the steps to petition the court: Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility You are generally eligible to petition the court once you turn 18 years old, or at least five years have passed since juvenile court jurisdiction ended (e.g., your probation finished). You must not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude as an adult, and you must show the court that you have been rehabilitated. Step 2: Obtain the Required Court Forms You will need to complete specific forms. The primary one is Form JV-595, "Petition to Seal Juvenile Records." You may also need to prepare Form JV-596, "Order to Seal Juvenile Records," for the judge to sign. You can get these forms from the juvenile court clerk’s office in your county or download them from the official California Courts website (courts.ca.gov). Step 3: File Your Petition with the Court Fill out Form JV-595 completely and accurately. File the completed petition with the juvenile court clerk in the same county where your original case was heard. There is no filing fee for this petition. Step 4: Prepare for the Court Hearing After you file, the court will schedule a hearing date. The probation department will investigate your case and create a report for the judge with a recommendation on whether to seal your records. You have the right to review this report before your hearing. Important Details and Nuances: Under a newer law (WIC § 786), some juvenile records are now sealed automatically if you successfully completed probation for a less serious offense. Before filing a petition, you can contact your county's probation department to see if your records were already sealed automatically. Sealing your record means it is treated as if it never existed, and you can legally state that you have not been arrested or had a juvenile record, with very limited exceptions. Warnings and Limitations: Sealing is not available if you were found to have committed a serious offense listed in Welfare and Institutions Code § 707(b) after you turned 14, unless you have been honorably discharged from the Division of Juvenile Justice. The process can take several months from filing the petition to the final court order. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice. For complex situations, especially those involving serious offenses, you should consult with a qualified California attorney.