Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

When a juvenile case has been vacated and sealed, it is to be treated as if the proceedings never occurred. You can legally state for all purposes that you have not been convicted of the offense.

Criminal history will always be accessible to law enforcement agencies, including sealed juvenile records, but information that is sealed cannot be disseminated.

Be advised that if convicted of a crime after a sealing, the sealing is nullified.

A felony adjudication (juvenile) or conviction (adult) results in a firearm disability. A career in law enforcement is until the persona has restored the right to possess firearms. Sealing should not be relied upon to remove a firearm disability resulting from a juvenile felony. If the case is unsealed by subsequent conviction for any offense, the person may be prohibited again (and have to wait five years to restore gun rights).