Individuals previously involved in the juvenile court system have an opportunity to destroy their juvenile records by attending an upcoming event called Project Restore: My Record & My Rights. It will be held on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Durango Juvenile Court Center, 3131 W. Durango Street in Phoenix, and is open to eligible individuals seeking:
- Destruction of juvenile delinquency and diversion records
- Set aside a juvenile adjudication (an adjudication is similar to a conviction in criminal court)
- Restoration of civil rights
- Expungement of a marijuana-related offense
“Anyone who has ever been involved in the juvenile justice system in Maricopa County should consider attending, because many people mistakenly believe that juvenile records are confidential or automatically destroyed at age 18,” said Juvenile Presiding Judge Lori Bustamante. “In reality, those records can remain accessible and may create barriers when applying for employment, securing housing, or pursuing military service.
”Currently, thousands of individuals are eligible for these services. On the day of the event, Superior Court judges will be on-site to review cases and issue rulings immediately, allowing eligible participants to take meaningful steps toward a fresh start.
“The consequences of juvenile justice involvement can extend far beyond adolescence, affecting access to education, employment, housing, and full civic participation,” said Dr. Marva Goodson, an assistant professor at Arizona State University. “Project Restore is an important, practical effort to reduce those barriers and ensure that eligible people are not indefinitely defined by a mistake or court involvement from their youth. I am excited to attend this year’s event and host a resource table focused on how attendees can draw on their social networks to expand employment opportunities and build stronger connections in their communities.”
On the day of the event, community members can access all the resources they need in one place. ASU representatives, court administration staff, attorneys, and probation officers will be on-site to help with record checks, eligibility assessments, paperwork, and filings. Once an application is submitted, deputy county attorneys review it and respond to the court, allowing judicial officers to issue a ruling the same day.
“The focus of juvenile court is rehabilitation. Simply having this event offers hope to those currently involved in juvenile court, and for those who have demonstrated rehabilitation – a fitting conclusion,” said Delinquency Attorney Supervisor at the Office of the Public Advocate Andrew Meissen.
Partners for the event, in addition to the Judicial Branch (Superior Court and the Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Department), include 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 Youth Justice Lab.
To see if you qualify for the destruction of a juvenile record, please visit the ASU Youth Justice Lab’s guide and eligibility tool.
For more information, go to the Juvenile Destruction of Records, Set Aside Conviction, Restore Rights guide.
Please note: Juvenile records for a DUI or 13-501(B) felony are not eligible for destruction until age 25.