Overview Description

Records relating to a juvenile delinquency case can be destroyed provided that the petitioner meets certain requirements. Ala. Code § 12-15-137.

The petitioner cannot have been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or adjudicated a youthful offender of any felony or any misdemeanor involving sexual offenses, drugs, weapons, or violence or threats of violence, prior to the filing of the motion and no proceeding can be pending seeking the conviction or adjudication. Ala. Code § 12-15-136(a)(2).

A motion must be filed in the juvenile court. For the specific procedure, see Ala. Code § 12-15-137.

There is no statutory language regarding fees.

If a request to destroy a record is granted, all references – including references to the arrest, complaints, referrals, petitions, reports, and orders – shall be removed from the files of all departments, agencies, officials, and institutions and destroyed. Ala. Code § 12-15-137(b).

http://eforms.alacourt.gov/Juvenile%20Forms/Motion%20for%20the%20Sealing,%20Destruction%20of%20Records.pdf

The petition can be filed five years after the juvenile reaches the age of majority. Ala. Code § 12-15-137.