Youth Justice: Employment Rights

How do juvenile and criminal records impact employment?
Employers are NOT legally allowed to consider certain kinds of records, including:
- Juvenile records
- Charges that did NOT result in a conviction
- Summary convictions (also called citations)
Employers may consider misdemeanor and felony convictions, but should also consider:
- The age of the conviction
- The seriousness of the offense
- Whether the offense relates to the job
Certain fields, like health care and child care, have extra rules about hiring people with records.
- Juvenile records should not bar you from working in any field.
- Adult convictions may prevent you from becoming licensed or working in certain fields.
- If you are not sure whether you can enter a field, get legal help – especially before spending money on school or taking out student loans!
If you have been rejected or fired from a job because of a juvenile or criminal record, you may have legal rights!
It is helpful to:
- Keep copies of any paperwork an employer gives you, including rejection letters and background checks.
- Keep track of where you applied to jobs, who you spoke to, and anything they told you about your record.
- Seek legal help if you think your rights have been violated!
Get Help
If you need help with a juvenile record, Community Legal Services may be able to help.
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