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Key Takeaways

Did You Know?

  • Sealing juvenile records refers to closing them to the public, while expunging requires their complete physical destruction.
  • Automatically sealing or expunging records requires no action by the juvenile.
  • Nearly 70 bills were considered in 23 states related to handling juvenile records in 2016. At least eight states considered bills related to automatic sealing or expungement.
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Related Resources

The Right to Counsel Beyond Felonies

State policymakers have focused on three large categories of cases in recent years. First, what should states do about misdemeanor cases that carry a term of incarceration? Second, when should states consider the collateral consequences of previous plea bargains? Finally, how should states handle local municipal courts?
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