Login | April 05, 2025
Juvenile court, partners offer chance for a ‘Clean Slate’
DON URSETTI
Summit County
Juvenile Court
Published: April 4, 2025
For the first time, in mid-March, a collaborative effort between the Summit Legal Defenders Office (SLD), Summit County Juvenile Court, Prosecutor’s Office and sheriff’s office offered an opportunity for individuals to have their juvenile record sealed and expunged.
While the court is always happy to accept applications for sealing, this is the first time that all stakeholders collaborated in a sealing clinic.
The SLD initiated the program, called “Clean Slate,” for adults seeking the same service a few years ago.
There is a misconception that juvenile records are automatically sealed and/or expunged once a person with a past offense turns 18.
Not so.
In many cases, a process must be completed to achieve that.
An unsealed record could follow individuals like a dark cloud as they become adults and could lead to discrimination when seeking employment and housing.
The juvenile court opened its doors on a Saturday and the response was favorable.
Visitors seeking to have their records sealed or expunged were greeted by court staff and given an application to complete and file with the clerk’s office staff.
The application was then forwarded to members of the SLD who met with each applicant to review their application and past offense(s) to assure the record was viable for sealing or expungement.
Juvenile records have a broad scope of past offenses eligible for this action.
Only charges of aggravated murder, murder and rape cannot be considered.
Applicants must also be at least six months removed from completing their last court order.
If the application is eligible for sealing/expungement, the applicant, an SLD attorney and a prosecutor appear before Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio who is stationed in another room where she evaluates the application. She was able to sign many orders that day to seal the record.
Members of the Prosecutor’s Office were onsite to verify the eligibility of each application.
If they are notified that a victim was involved in an applicant’s offense, the prosecutors would comply with Ohio Constitution Article I, Section 10a, better known as Marsy’s Law, which assures victims’ rights.
If that occurs, the application is stayed until the victim is notified and a hearing is set.
During the recent three hour clinic, 15 attendees filed paperwork to seal or expunge a total of 51 cases.
“I couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Summit Legal Defender Director Andrea Whitaker. “We were excited to partner on this project to help young people move forward with their lives without the burden of a public criminal record once they become adults. We look forward to participating again."
Judge Teodosio said the clinic was a great benefit for those looking to put that unfortunate chapter of their young lives behind them.
“Now, they can look to their future with a renewed confidence,” she said. “I appreciate Andrea Whitaker and Summit Legal Defenders for bringing this clinic to the juvenile court.”
Prosecutor Elliott Kolkovich said that the clinic’s title, “Clean Slate,” was more than appropriate.
“People make mistakes as a juvenile,” he said. “Those individuals who have done everything we and the court have asked are deserving of a second chance.”
It is almost a certainty that “Clean Slate” will again be offered at the juvenile court. It is just a matter of whether the clinic will be held quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.