SPOKANE, Wash. — Young offenders will continue to have an easier time sealing their juvenile court records under a decision issued by the Washington Supreme Court.
The court on Thursday affirmed a lower court decision that former juvenile offenders do not have to meet complicated requirements known as “Ishikawa factors” in order to seal their juvenile records.
Writing for the majority, Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu said leaving juvenile records open to the public forever, except in very limited circumstances, was inconsistent with the rehabilitation goal of the juvenile justice system
Child advocates say the decision will allow thousands of former juvenile justice defendants each year to seal their juvenile court records and build new lives.
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