Crime & Traffic

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Do I have to tell employers about my juvenile record?

You don't have to tell employers about your juvenile record. It is illegal for an employer to deny you a job based on your juvenile record.

    On job applications, employers must tell job-seekers their rights. One right is that you don't have to answer questions about juvenile records. If you're asked about an expunged record, you may respond like the events never happened.

    Employers who don't tell you your rights could be fined if:

    • They ask about expunged records,
    • They wrongfully get a copy of juvenile criminal records, or if
    • Any person or agency provides the information.

    An agency can't deny you a work license because of your juvenile record. The rules for reporting a juvenile record are different from adult records.

    Since 2010, adult prosecutions begin at 18 years of age. Depending on your age when you were arrested, you may have either an adult or a juvenile record.

    Your employer will be able to see some juvenile records, if they need an FBI background check. If you have a record from before 2010, it may show up on an FBI background check, even if it was expunged. Giving your employer a photocopy of your expungement order should work.

    Learn more about juvenile expungement.

    Last full review by a subject matter expert
    April 05, 2023
    Last revised by staff
    August 07, 2020

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