Imagine you are 16 years old… It’s summertime, it’s late, and you are hanging out with
your friends at a park. One of them breaks out a bottle of vodka they took from their parents. You give in to peer pressure and take a few swigs. And, in a HUGE lapse of judgment, you get in the car to drive home. The police pull you over. You get caught, taken into custody and charged.
You go to court, face the judge and juvenile detention. You understand the gravity of your mistake. You make amends. You’ve pay your debt to society and you are ready to move forward and build a life for yourself.
But you can’t.
You can’t get a job. You can’t get a scholarship for college. You can’t rent an apartment. Your juvenile record is preventing you from having a future. Because here in Washington, as opposed to what most people believe, juvenile records are open to the public. And this traps many youth in a cycle of homelessness, joblessness, and poverty – at great cost to themselves and the taxpayers.
Legislators here are trying to change that. This year, they’re moving HB 1651, called the Youth Opportunities Act. The bill would seal juvenile records at age 18 for youth who commit non-serious offenses. Serious and violent offenses, including murder, arson, and sex crimes would not be included.
Children and adults are not the same. Recent brain research has exposed that anatomical differences in the adolescent brain make youth less capable than adults of assessing risks, controlling impulsive behavior, and engaging in moral reasoning.
Forty-two other states recognize this and either seal juvenile records or make them confidential. So a child from Connecticut, Louisiana or Minnesota has a second chance at success, but a child from Washington does not.
Opponents say that sealing juvenile records will make the public less safe. But this statement is simply false.
Ninety-five percent of juvenile crimes committed are non-violent offenses. And a national conservative criminal justice organization, Right on Crime, has said that passing this bill will improve, public safety by ensuring folks have options other than re-offending. Furthermore, this bill is supported by several state representatives who are current or former members of law enforcement.
When young men and women, after paying their debt to society, can become productive citizens, we all benefit. Our communities and our economy are strengthened by removing youth barriers to employment and self-sufficiency.
A childhood mistake should not haunt you for the rest of your life.
HB 1651, has, for two years in a row, unanimously passed the state House. Last week, in a huge victory, it passed the Senate unanimously. It will now head to Governor Inslee’s desk.