Washington: Juvenile Court Records and Law Enforcement Records (WA-AR-1)

Records relating to a juvenile adjudication can be sealed by the court so long as the person is at least 18 years old and not subject to a disqualifying event. Wash. Rev. Code §13.50.260(1).

Record Detail(s)

Charges adjudicated

Previous Conviction Disqualifying

No statutory language

Mandatory / Discretionary

Discretionary

Clearance Process

Automatic

Remedy

Seal

Ineligible Category or Citation

The following offenses are not eligible for sealing: a most serious offense; a sex offense; or a drug offense. Wash. Rev. Code § 13.50.260(c).

Procedure General

At the disposition hearing of a juvenile offender, the court will schedule an administrative sealing hearing in compliance with the waiting period requirements outlined above. Wash. Rev. Code § 13.50.260(1)(b). For the specific procedure, see Wash. Rev. Code § 13.50.260.

Fees

There is no statutory language regarding fees.

Effect

Upon the record being sealed, the proceedings in the case will be treated as if they never occurred, and the subject of the records can reply accordingly to any inquiry about the events. Any agency will reply to any inquiry concerning confidential or sealed records that records are confidential, and no information can be given about the existence or nonexistence of records concerning an individual. Wash. Rev. Code § 13.50.260(6)(a). For information on how a record can be unsealed, see Wash. Rev. Code § 13.50.260(8). For further information on the effect, see Wash. Rev. Code § 13.50.260(6)-(11).

Waiting Periods

At the time of disposition, the court should schedule an administrative sealing hearing after the latest of the following events that apply: the person's 18th birthday; the anticipated completion of the person's probation, if ordered; or the anticipated release from confinement or completion of parole. Wash. Rev. Code § 13.50.260(1)(b).

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