Currently in the state of Minnesota, the public has access to all juvenile records- both online and at the courthouse. This new law proposes that the public should not have access to online records of juveniles ages 16 and 17 who have been charged with nonviolent felonies.
What does this mean for juveniles charged in Minnesota?
Pros:
Opportunity- this law will give opportunity for a second chance to those who have only committed one crime as a juvenile. This opportunity is forgiveness. The felony they committed when they were a young kid will no longer be publicly available online for everyone any anyone to have access to.
No more discrimination– The discrimination that follows an adult for a nonviolent felony committed as a juvenile will seize to exist when it comes to housing, finding jobs and attending college. This gives the adult a fresh start and a chance to make it in this life without the “lifelong stigma” of a felon.
Cons:
Inconvenience: Although the records will not be available online for 16 and 17 year old juveniles, they will be available on paper at the courthouse. This makes it inconvenient for anyone who is actively looking for these records.
Victims: Some victims of these nonviolent felonies may want the records to be available online. If a crime was committed against them- they may want people to know about it. This is not yet completely sorted out, which is why the law has not passed yet.
If you are or know a minor being charged with a felony and is in need of legal help, contact the professionals at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, today.