Tiffers
08-22-2008, 02:56 PM
I was at the court house the other day and looked myself up on the public access computer there. I was surprised to see that not only was every single ticket I've ever gotten was on there (even the ones that I had gotten court supervision for and therefore thought would not be on my record) but so was a charge for disorderly conduct from when I was only 15 years old.
How is that? I thought juvenile records were sealed? Anyone who does a background check on me can see the charge. The actual details of the case info isn't available because it was so old (so says the circuit clerk lady who had no answer as to why you can see my juvy record), but the charge is definitely there.
So then I looked up my little sister and sure enough, you can see her juvy record as well (curfew violations).
If I understand correctly, these were arrest records, and the circuit clerk lady says that's why it's there. It shows every "arrest", even if the case was dismissed. I had no idea that traffic tickets were considered arrests, but for each ticket it said "defendant was arrested on such and such date".
This is all news to me. Another question - what is the point of court supervision for a traffic violation if it's going to appear on your record anyway?
How is that? I thought juvenile records were sealed? Anyone who does a background check on me can see the charge. The actual details of the case info isn't available because it was so old (so says the circuit clerk lady who had no answer as to why you can see my juvy record), but the charge is definitely there.
So then I looked up my little sister and sure enough, you can see her juvy record as well (curfew violations).
If I understand correctly, these were arrest records, and the circuit clerk lady says that's why it's there. It shows every "arrest", even if the case was dismissed. I had no idea that traffic tickets were considered arrests, but for each ticket it said "defendant was arrested on such and such date".
This is all news to me. Another question - what is the point of court supervision for a traffic violation if it's going to appear on your record anyway?