Sealing or Expunging Juvenile Records in Maryland
How juvenile records are sealed or expunged in Maryland, and whether it happens automatically.
Short answer: A person can petition the juvenile court to expunge a juvenile record. The court may grant it if the person is at least 18 and 2 years have passed since the last official action in the record, and the case ended in one of the qualifying ways (such as nolle prosequi, dismissal… Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-8A-27.1; Maryland Judiciary, Juvenile Record Expungement
| Juvenile records | A person can petition the juvenile court to expunge a juvenile record. The court may grant it if the person is at least 18 and 2 years have passed since the last official action in the record, and the case ended in one of the qualifying ways (such as nolle prosequi, dismissal, allegations not found true, or a disposition hearing). The person must not have been adjudicated delinquent more than once, must have no later conviction and no pending case, and must have fully paid any restitution. Records cannot be expunged if the adjudication was for an act that would be a crime of violence or felony for an adult, or that required sex offender registration. The Judiciary states there is no fee to file a juvenile expungement petition. |
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Where to get help in Maryland
More Maryland expungement & criminal records
- Getting a Copy of Your Maryland Criminal Record
- Expunging or Sealing a Felony in Maryland
- Clearing a DUI From Your Record in Maryland
- How to File for Expungement in Maryland
- All Maryland expungement & criminal records rules
FAQ
How do you seal a juvenile record in Maryland?
A person can petition the juvenile court to expunge a juvenile record. The court may grant it if the person is at least 18 and 2 years have passed since the last official action in the record, and the case ended in one of the qualifying ways (such as nolle prosequi, dismissal, allegations not found true, or a disposition hearing). The person must not have been adjudicated delinquent more than once, must have no later conviction and no pending case, and must have fully paid any restitution. Records cannot be expunged if the adjudication was for an act that would be a crime of violence or felony for an adult, or that required sex offender registration. The Judiciary states there is no fee to file a juvenile expungement petition.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.