Missouri: Juvenile Court Records and Law Enforcement Records (MO-AR-1)

Records of a delinquency matter can be sealed after the child's 17th birthday, so long as the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child to do so. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.321(5).

Record Detail(s)

All charges

Previous Conviction Disqualifying

No statutory language

Mandatory / Discretionary

Discretionary

Hearing

No statutory language

Clearance Process

By petition or court's own motion

Remedy

Seal

Ineligible Category or Citation

There is no statutory language regarding ineligible offenses.

Procedure General

The court may, either on its own motion or upon application by the child or his representative, or upon application by the juvenile officer, enter an order to destroy all social histories, records, and information, other than the official court file, and may enter an order to seal the official court file, as well as all peace officers' records, at any time after the child is 17 years of age. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.321(5).

Fees

There is no statutory language regarding fees.

Effect

The sealing order will cause the official court file and all peace officers' records to be stored in a sealed envelope within the case file, or in a sealed envelope or other container apart from the case file. Sealed records stored within the file will be removed prior to inspection of the case file by non-court personnel. A court order will be required to open sealed records. Supreme Court Operating Rules 4.25. The sealing order will cause the destruction of all social histories, records, and information other than the official court file and peace officers' records. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 211.321(5).

Waiting Periods

The petition can be filed any time after the child's 17th birthday.

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