Iowa: Juvenile Court Records and Law Enforcement Records (IA-AR-2)

Records relating to an adjudication that, if committed by an adult, would be considered an aggravated misdemeanor or a felony can be sealed upon petition after two years have passed since the last official action or the person has turned 18 years old, whichever is later, so long as the person is not subject to a disqualifying event and that the sealing is in the best interest of the person and the public. Iowa Code § 232.150(1)(b).

Record Detail(s)

Charges adjudicated

Previous Conviction Disqualifying

Potentially, see statute

Mandatory / Discretionary

Discretionary

Clearance Process

By petition or court's own motion

Remedy

Seal

Ineligible Category or Citation

A person is ineligible for sealing under this section if the person: (1)The person is under the age of 18 and less than two years have elapsed since the last official action in the person's case; (2) has been subsequently convicted of a felony or an aggravated or serious misdemeanor or adjudicated a delinquent child for an act which if committed by an adult would be a felony, an aggravated misdemeanor, or serious misdemeanor; or (3) has a proceeding pending seeking conviction for a felony or an aggravated or serious misdemeanor or adjudication for an act which if committed by an adult would be a felony, an aggravated misdemeanor, or serious misdemeanor. Iowa Code § 232.150(1)(b).

Procedure General

For the specific procedure, see Iowa Code § 232.150(2).

Fees

There is no statutory language regarding fees.

Effect

All index references to sealed records are deleted. Iowa Code § 232.150(4)(b). The sealed records are no longer be deemed to exist as a matter of law, and the juvenile court and any other agency or person who receives notice and a copy of the sealing order shall reply to an inquiry that no such records exist. Inspection of the record is by court order only, and limited to the subject person and those conducting bona fide research. Iowa Code § 232.150(5).

Waiting Periods

The petition can be filed any time after the person turns 18 years old and at least two years have elapsed since the last official action in their case.

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