Are juvenile convictions admissible in a civil trial?

Juvenile convictions are generally considered inadmissible in civil trials due to the legal framework surrounding juvenile justice, which emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. The rationale is that juvenile proceedings are designed to be confidential and focus on the possibility of reform, protecting the minor from the long-term consequences that a criminal record can impose. This protection includes limiting the admissibility of past juvenile adjudications in civil matters, thereby preventing potential unjust bias against the individual based on their childhood behavior.

In contrast to adult criminal convictions, which are part of public records and can carry significant implications for civil cases, juvenile records remain sealed in most jurisdictions. Therefore, the general presumption is that these records are not to be considered when evaluating someone's character or conduct in civil litigation. This policy aims to foster an environment where juveniles can have a chance to reintegrate into society without the stigma of past mistakes following them into adulthood or affecting their civil rights.