Expunging or Sealing a Juvenile Court Record in Colorado

In Colorado, many juvenile records qualify for expungement. If your record is expunged, it is not physically destroyed, but it is sealed or specially marked and treated as though it never existed. In most circumstances, after your record is expunged, you can legally say that you were never the subject of proceedings in juvenile court. However, if you are convicted of a later crime, your record may be obtained by the court for sentencing purposes. (Colorado Revised Statutes § 19-1-306.)

Is Your Juvenile Record Eligible for Expungement?

Your juvenile record will qualify for expungement if a court finds that, since the end of your court supervision or parole:

• you have not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or adjudicated for another juvenile offense
• there are no criminal or delinquency proceedings pending against you
• you have been rehabilitated, and
• expunging the record is in your best interests and the best interests of the community.

However, you may not file for expungement of your juvenile record if:

• you were found to be an aggravated or violated juvenile offender
• you were found to have committed an offense that would be classified as an adult crime of violence
• you were charged, as a juvenile, by the direct filing in the district court of an information or indictment, unless you were sentenced as a juvenile in the same matter, or
• you committed an unlawful sexual offense.

(Colorado Revised Statutes § 19-1-306.)

When to File

You may petition for expungement of your juvenile record immediately, if you were found not guilty in juvenile court. Otherwise, you must wait:

• one year from the date of law enforcement contact that didn’t result in a referral for further action against you
• one year from the date that you completed a juvenile diversion program or informal adjustment
• four years from the date of the end of your court supervision, commitment to the department of human services, or parole supervision, or
• ten years from the date your court supervision or parole ended, whichever is later, if you were found to be a repeat or mandatory juvenile offender and you haven’t committed any further criminal violations.

(Colorado Revised Statutes § 19-1-306.)

How to File

You must file a petition for expungement in either juvenile or district court. There is no fee to file. You may file for expungement only once during any 12-month period. For more information, and to get the forms you need, visit the Colorado Courts website.

Getting Legal Help

Clearing a juvenile record can be complicated. If you are not sure whether your record qualifies for sealing and expungement in Colorado -- or for help filing the necessary paperwork -- you should contact a qualified criminal law attorney. A good lawyer can guide you each step of the way.