Do crimes committed while you were a minor show up for employment background checks?
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Do crimes committed while you were a minor show up for employment background checks?
When I was 17 I got caught stealing at a store by the security guard. They took me to the back, got my ID and fingerprint for the store records. I got a civil thing in the mail that I had to pay. I never got a court date or anything like that. I wanted to know if this would show up on my background check because I am trying to get into a nursing program. I am 18 now and I wanted to know if it would be sealed and not viewable for the background check?
Asked on July 31, 2011 California
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Oops! Sorry! Here is the link:
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/other/crimlawclean.htm#juvrecs
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Here is the thing: you were not really arrested as far as I can tell nor were you convicted. The civil thing you got to pay in the mail is done by the store or their attorneys and not the court (and by the way you need not have paid it; it was probably far more than the item's value, correct?). Generally speaking a criminal record - if it exists - will appear. Itis my understanding that although you have a right to have them sealed upon turning 18, they are not automatically sealed by the courts in California. You have to file a petition to seal the record. So what I think that you should do is to run a background check on your self and see what comes up. If it comes up - and I doubt it given you never went to court - then I will give you a link to the California self help court website. If it does not then you are good to go. Good luck.
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