Can Juvenile Convictions Be Sealed in Texas?
People often refer to juvenile cases as “juvenile convictions,” but Texas law treats juvenile matters differently than adult criminal cases. Even so, a juvenile record can still appear in background checks, affect employment, housing, education, or professional licensing, and create problems well into adulthood.
The good news is that many juvenile records can be sealed in Texas, and in some cases sealing happens automatically. The less good news is that eligibility depends on how the juvenile case was handled and what happened afterward.
Here’s the general legal framework.
(For related criminal defense issues, see: Criminal Defense Practice Areas
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Sealing vs. Expungement in Juvenile Cases
Texas juvenile law primarily uses the concept of record sealing, not expunction. While people often use the terms interchangeably, sealing is the statutory remedy most juvenile cases qualify for.
Once a juvenile record is sealed, the law generally treats it as if it never occurred for most purposes, including employment and background checks, subject to limited statutory exceptions.
Juvenile record sealing is governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 58.
The Three Primary Paths to Sealing Juvenile Records
Texas law provides three main pathways to sealing juvenile records. Which one applies depends on how the case was classified and resolved.
1. Automatic Sealing for Certain Non-Delinquent Cases (CINS)
Some juvenile cases are classified as conduct indicating a need for supervision (CINS) rather than delinquent conduct. These are typically less serious matters under juvenile law.
In qualifying situations, records may be sealed without filing an application, if statutory requirements are met. Common requirements include:
the person is at least 18 years old,
no later referrals for delinquent conduct,
no adult felony conviction, and
no pending adult charges punishable by confinement.
This pathway exists to allow individuals to move forward without having to initiate a court process once they reach adulthood and remain law-abiding.
2. Automatic Sealing for Certain Delinquent Conduct Cases
Texas law also allows automatic sealing for some juvenile cases involving delinquent conduct, but the requirements are stricter.
In general terms, this pathway requires:
the person to be at least 19 years old,
no pending juvenile matters,
no transfer to adult criminal court,
no adult felony convictions, and
no adult misdemeanor convictions or pending charges that could result in jail time.
Additional restrictions apply depending on whether the juvenile was adjudicated and whether the conduct was felony-grade under Texas law.
3. Court-Ordered Sealing by Application
When automatic sealing does not apply, Texas law allows an individual to apply to the juvenile court for record sealing under Texas Family Code § 58.256.
This is the most common route for adults who discover their juvenile record is still affecting them years later.
General eligibility concepts include:
a minimum age or passage of time since discharge,
no pending juvenile matters,
not having been transferred to adult criminal court,
no adult felony conviction, and
no pending adult charges punishable by confinement.
The juvenile court has discretion in how it handles these applications, including whether to seal records immediately or set the matter for hearing.
Who Is Generally Disqualified From Sealing?
Texas law places firm limits on sealing for certain histories.
Depending on the statute involved, sealing may be barred for individuals who:
received a determinate sentence for specified serious offenses,
are required to register as a sex offender, or
were committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or a secure correctional facility, unless specific discharge conditions are met.
Across all sealing pathways, an adult felony conviction is a major disqualifier. Adult criminal history is often the first issue that must be evaluated before determining whether sealing is even possible.
Why the Details Matter
Two people may both say they have a “juvenile conviction,” yet have completely different legal options.
Key details that control eligibility include:
whether the case was CINS or delinquent conduct,
whether there was an adjudication or deferred resolution,
whether the case was ever transferred to adult court, and
what happened in adulthood afterward.
Without those details, it’s impossible to determine which sealing pathway—if any—applies.
Practical Takeaway
Many juvenile records can be sealed in Texas, but the process is statutory and technical. Automatic sealing applies only in narrow situations. Court-ordered sealing requires meeting specific criteria, and some juvenile histories are excluded altogether.
If a juvenile record is still causing problems years later, the starting point is not filing paperwork—it’s identifying exactly how the juvenile court handled the case and whether Texas law allows sealing at all.