As of November 1, 2023, most juveniles will no longer have to register as a sex offender and be eligible to seal their convictions. Law enforcement will start removing eligible people from the registry soon and mailing letters confirming they have been removed. If you receive a letter indicating that you have been removed from the registry, please contact our office for a free consultation to determine if you are eligible to seal your offense.

Helping You Protect Your Future

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Knowing the options to protect the future of youthful offenders

On Behalf of | Apr 25, 2022 | Juvenile offenses |

There could be a variety of scenarios in which having a conviction on one’s record could affect certain opportunities in life. Parents in Washington who do not want to see their children’s past continue to haunt them may wish to take every possible measure to safeguard against such concerns. However, parents of youthful offenders might not always know how best to achieve such a goal and they could benefit from seeking guidance on all their available options. 

Impact on the future 

Studies indicate that there are a variety of scenarios in which a youthful offender’s record could affect his or her future opportunities. For instance, records of youthful offenses could appear during various background checks, whether performed by request of potential employers or even landlords. Studies suggest that even without a conviction, allegations alone may be enough to harm a young person’s reputation and opportunities. 

When facing juvenile charges, parents of youthful offenders could benefit from seeking insight on all available options to help reduce the charges their children face. There may be certain programs or requirements children might meet that could help mitigate the impact a similar situation could have on their futures. Studies show that diverting youthful offenders from the juvenile justice system may not only help mitigate the impact on their future and may also help reduce recidivism rates among this age group. 

Seeking advice on one’s options 

Parents of youthful offenders may wish to take every possible measure to keep a juvenile offense from haunting their children throughout life. Since navigating the juvenile justice system can be complex, a person in Washington could benefit from speaking with an attorney early on for guidance in evaluating all his or her available options. An attorney can address the situation a client is facing and help create a strategy with which to seek the most favorable outcome achievable regarding the future of his or her child.