People with juvenile criminal records may be eligible to have them cleared and also get their civil rights back.
The legal community is hosting an event on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Durango Juvenile Court Center in Phoenix, where people can review their options with the help of experts.
The event is called Project Restore. Organizers say it’s a one-stop shop where people can find out if they qualify to have their juvenile record destroyed, file an application, and get a ruling.
Judge Lori Horn Bustamante presides over the juvenile department of Maricopa County Superior Court. She said having an old record holds people back.
“They can’t rent an apartment. They are unable to get into the military. They may have a barrier in applying for a job, or in any other sort of way that may affect their ability to move on in life.”
Those who can’t be at the event, or want to check eligibility before going, can use QR codes available on the website of ASU’s Youth Justice Lab.
“Anybody can come to court to get this done at any time. But we’re doing it on a Saturday to make it more convenient for people,” said Horn Bustamante.
For more information, visit superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/posts/events/2024/project-restore/.
