PHOENIX — Someone with a juvenile criminal record may encounter some issues in life trying to get a job or joining the military, or even something as simple as leasing an apartment.
But for the first time, the courts and Maricopa County are helping those affected through a one-day event.
“It is the first ever destruction of records event,” said Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Wendy Morton.
At the Durango Juvenile Court Center in Phoenix, superior court judges, probation officers and prosecutors were on-site Saturday morning for immediate rulings.
They spent the day meeting with young adults who have a juvenile delinquency or diversion record and may be eligible to have their records destroyed and their civil rights restored.
“Juvenile court is about rehabilitation,” said Deputy Director for the Office of Public Advocate Andrew Meissen.
This one-stop event called Project Restore: My Records, My Rights aims to support new starts for young adults with criminal juvenile records.
“There are statutes that allow young adults who are past the age of 18 to come in and destroy their records,” said Meissen. “…and so, this is an opportunity for young adults to come in and do that.”
People like Jose Orozco from Buckeye, who heard about the event on TV.
“When I was young, I was actually being a hoodlum,” he said. “I was basically doing burglaries, getting high on substances, things like that, that involve crime... I pray to God that I get my record cleared out.”
Harley Estrada from Phoenix received a letter about the event.
“I was a big troublemaker back then,” he said. “I came here to try to make a new start and start a better future for myself after I graduated.”
Several agencies helped them through the process, including the Judicial Branch, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the Maricopa County Office of the Public Advocate, the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court and Arizona State University’s Youth Justice Lab.
“We have fantastic undergraduates,” said Adam Fine, assistant professor in ASU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Fine said this event was the culmination of several months of research.
“To make these things publicly accessible, to make them clearer, and to help people through this process,” Fine said.
“If you have successfully completed probation, you’ve paid off your restitution, you have been rehabilitated, then it’s a fitting conclusion,” Meissen added.
As for Orozco and Estrada, this was a turning point.
“Hopefully I can join the military,” said Estrada.
“You know, you take your L’s and you turn them into wins,” said Orozco. “Just being able to move on to another chapter in my life…. get my own stable living like a home, build credit… be able to maintain my kids, with a nice job.”
At this event, a judge granted their requests, destroying both of their juvenile records.
“Don’t let your past define you,” said Estrada. “So many people tend to define you because of your past, but don’t let it stop you… we can all become better.”
If you have a record and you’re wondering if you might be able to get it destroyed or to start the process, a list of resources is below.
More information
To learn if you might qualify for the destruction of a juvenile record, please visit the ASU Youth Justice Lab’s guide assessment tool.
To start the process, community members can request their “public profile” by clicking here.
For additional help and instructions, click here.
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