Juveniles are now able to get their records expunged because of the new “Clean Slate” law. The new law will now expunge the arrests records of many teens with minor offenses.
Juveniles who were arrested for non-violent crimes, for less serious reasons or never actually charged, will automatically get a clean slate as soon as they turn 18. Lawyers and state officials say this law will help these kids get into schools and get jobs without arrest records hanging over their heads.
Private corporations are able to buy or mine data from local jurisdictions all over the country, not just here in Illinois. Employers are using the data from young people with minor offenses in order to turn them down for jobs that are often completely unrelated to their juvenile records.
The “Clean Slate” law will help keep young adults from being pigeonholed by something they did in their teenage years and that should have remained a part of their juvenile records.
The legislation stipulates that the teen can’t have been criminally charged, and the arrest can’t be tied to felonies or sex assault cases.
Youth Courts have been established downstate as a way to keep kids out of criminal court proceedings. The arrest record would be cleared by a person’s 18th birthday if that arrest didn’t result in criminal charges. Eligible juveniles must also not have any other subsequent arrests or juvenile delinquency petitions.
This isn’t the first change seen from the State when it comes to juvenile offenders. The entire department is undergoing an overhaul, primarily to cut costs by keeping kids out of the system.
This bill will give teens a second chance to get onto the right path. It is another tool that gives a minor, and future adult, the ability to be in a positive position as they’re starting college or entering the workforce.