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Will a Juvenile Record Show Up on a Government Background Check

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  • 04-12-2014, 12:53 AM
    asanders4
    Will a Juvenile Record Show Up on a Government Background Check
    My question involves criminal records for the state of: michigan, I was a minor 16(juvenile).so I wasn't arrested, fingerprinted, or anything but had to got to court I'm pretty sure it was a preliminary inquiry and I completed the diversion program and they said there will be no court record, so my question is will it show on a government background check to be a police officer, firefighter, etc..........
  • 04-12-2014, 01:41 AM
    cdwjava
    Re: Will a Juvenile Record Show Up on a Government Background Check
    While it may not show up on a records' check, I think you will find that as part of a peace officer background you will be required to disclose it if asked. Failure to do so could be grounds for termination if and when it ever comes out. And such deception would likely prevent you from ever getting a job in law enforcement even if that particular agency chooses to disqualify you as a result.

    What was the nature of the offense? If it is relatively minor and benign (like alcohol) I wouldn't worry too much.

    How old are you now?
  • 04-12-2014, 04:26 AM
    CourtClerk
    Re: Will a Juvenile Record Show Up on a Government Background Check
    If you completed diversion, that means you were convicted (or there was a finding of fact, or the petition was sustained or whatever term your jurisdiction means). Yes, a government agency is going to see that. THEY have access to, and see everything.
  • 04-12-2014, 04:44 AM
    cdwjava
    Re: Will a Juvenile Record Show Up on a Government Background Check
    As a note, not all juvenile records will show up on a state or local records' check - they won't generally show up (at least in CA) on a check of court records as a juvenile. Since the OP indicated he was not arrested or fingerprinted, no state criminal offender record was created. It could be that this "diversion" was an unofficial or pre-trial program so as to prevent any form of a criminal record. We have that up here and in many other counties in CA. We refer to it locally as "informal" probation, and the people on that have never been to court for their offense. These and similar programs may be operated locally by the law enforcement agency, the DA's office, or the Probation department (for juveniles).

    However, the POLICE REPORT would still exist, and when the agency requests any and all copies of police contacts with the OP that report is likely to make an unpleasant appearance. So, while it is likely that it will be discovered in some official record, it wouldn't be on a criminal offender record and may not even be on any court record (if that can be accessed at all).

    However, if the OP should lie about it, and it comes out int he background (and it almost certainly will because someone will blab about it) then the OP will be branded a liar and likely blackballed. Better to be up front with the offense than have them dig it up later.
  • 04-12-2014, 11:27 PM
    asanders4
    Re: Will a Juvenile Record Show Up on a Government Background Check
    I'm 18 now and it was a petty theft, got caught shoplifting a $20 hat....

    - - - Updated - - -

    I'm just really confused because I've been doing research and I've heard yes and no answers to the same situation I'm in but somehow I passed a background check to work in a retail store, that I've been working for 6 months!!
  • 04-13-2014, 09:00 AM
    Disagreeable
    Re: Will a Juvenile Record Show Up on a Government Background Check
    There are 2 types of background checks. Open and closed. Open only gets generally accessible records. Closed, which is open primarily to most government agencies, can access closed records.
  • 04-13-2014, 08:07 PM
    cdwjava
    Re: Will a Juvenile Record Show Up on a Government Background Check
    Quote:

    Quoting asanders4
    View Post
    I'm 18 now and it was a petty theft, got caught shoplifting a $20 hat....

    - - - Updated - - -

    I'm just really confused because I've been doing research and I've heard yes and no answers to the same situation I'm in but somehow I passed a background check to work in a retail store, that I've been working for 6 months!!

    The retail store does not do nearly the level of background a law enforcement agency will do.

    And, at 18, it's far too early for you to consider police work anyway. Stay in school, get an education, and put whatever crime you committed further behind you.
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