District of Columbia: Juvenile Court Records and Law Enforcement Records (DC-AR-3)

Records relating to a juvenile arrest or petition that was terminated without adjudication may be sealed by the court at any time upon motion on grounds of actual innocence. D.C. Code § 16-2335.02(a).

Record Detail(s)

Charges not adjudicated

Previous Conviction Disqualifying

Potentially, see statute

Mandatory / Discretionary

Discretionary

Hearing

At court's discretion

Clearance Process

Petition-based

Remedy

Seal

Ineligible Category or Citation

No statutory language regarding ineligible offenses.

Procedure General

A motion to seal filed with the Family Court shall state the grounds upon which eligibility for sealing is based and facts in support of the person's claim. D.C. Code § 16-2335.02(j). For specific procedure, see D.C. Code § 16-2335.02.

Fees

No statutory language.

Effect

The effect of sealing the records shall be to restore the movant, in the contemplation of the law, to the status he or she occupied before being arrested or charged. No person as to whom such relief has been granted shall be held thereafter under any provision of law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of failure to recite or acknowledge his or her arrest, or charge, or trial in response to any inquiry made of him or her for any purpose. D.C. Code § 16-2335.02(i).

Waiting Periods

The petition may be filed at any time following the termination of the matter.

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