Overview Description

Records relating to a juvenile delinquency proceeding will be sealed one year after the juvenile's 18th birthday or one year after personal or juvenile jurisdiction of the court is terminated, whichever is later. W. Va. Rules of Juv. Proc., Rule 50(a).

There is no statutory language regarding ineligible offenses.

The procedure is automatic.

There is no statutory language regarding fees.

Upon order to seal, the records of a juvenile proceeding, including but not limited to law enforcement files and records, will be kept in a separate secure confidential place and the records can only be inspected by order of the circuit court. W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-5-104(a).

When the record of a juvenile proceeding is sealed by the court, it has the legal effect of extinguishing the offense as if it never occurred. W. Va. Rules of Juv. Proc., Rule 50(c).

The record should be sealed one year after the juvenile's 18th birthday or one year after jurisdiction is terminated, whichever is later. W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-5-104(a); W. Va. Rules of Juv. Proc., Rule 50(a).