(TJJD) Youth Handbook - Texas Juvenile Justice Department

MY JUVENILE RECORDSConfidentialityState and federal laws makeinformation about you confidentialto most people outside TJJD, butthe rules can be complicated. If youaren’t yet 18, your parents have alot of control over who sees yourrecords. When you turn 18, you getsome of that control.TJJD can’t release informationabout you to the public. Sometimes,though, people who work for thecourts, police departments or otherlaw enforcement can see yourrecord without your permission.Some sex offenders have toregister on a public database.When you get out of TJJD, you or your family may want to see an attorney to findout what you can do to keep your record as private as possible. A lot of youthhave their records sealed. That is something your lawyer can help you with.Who has a juvenile record in Texas?If you were arrested, taken into custody or charged with a crime offense (Class Aor B misdemeanor or felony) that was committed when you were at least 10 butyounger than 17, you probably have a juvenile record. You may also have one ifyou were charged with a Class C misdemeanor that got sent to juvenile court.What are juvenile records?If you were adjudicated delinquent (Class A or B misdemeanor or any felony) inTexas, you probably have a record with the local law enforcement, the TexasDepartment of Public Safety (DPS), and the FBI. That record is permanent andnot destroyed unless you get a court to seal it. You need a lawyer for this.LOOKING AHEADTAKING RESPONSIBILITY & DEFINING YOUR FUTURE87