(TJJD) Youth Handbook - Texas Juvenile Justice Department

Who has access to juvenile records?While juvenile records are generally confidential, there are some exceptions. Lawenforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice officials in Texas andelsewhere can see your record. Also, it may be available to some people whenyou apply for a job, school, or professional license.What is the automatic restriction of access to records system?Texas has a system that limits access to your juvenile records after you turn 21 ifyou don’t commit any more crimes after you turn 17. The system is calledautomatic restriction of access to records. This is not the same as having yourrecords sealed or destroyed.Under automatic restriction of access to records, your records stay in place, butfewer people can see them. They are available only to criminal justice agenciesfor things like investigating job applicants and prosecuting crimes. For all otherinquiries the holder of the records has to say your records “do not exist.” You canalso legally deny you were ever arrested, prosecuted or adjudicated for a crime.How do a juvenile's records become eligible for restricted access?For restricted access, you don’t have to do anything special like hiring a lawyer orgoing to court. It happens automatically when you turn 21 if, since your 17 thbirthday, you have not received deferred adjudication for or been convicted inadult court of a Class A or B misdemeanor or a felony. If you meet theserequirements, you get a fresh start at age 21 without harm from a past juvenilerecord. But remember, this only happens if you don’t commit any new crimes. Ifyou commit a crime after turning 21, your records are taken off restricted access.What records are not eligible for restricted access?Juvenile records that are not eligible for restricted access are cases that werehandled as determinate sentences, certified (transferred) to adult criminal court,or prosecuted in justice or municipal court.What about sentenced offender records?Cases handled as determinate sentences are not eligible for restricted access.88