Juvenile criminal record removal system: Opportunity for readjustment

The criminal records of juveniles convicted of minor offenses will soon be wiped clean. The Supreme People's Court says the move is aimed at better protecting young people's rights, and helping them readjust to society after committing youthful indiscretions.

The Supreme Court says it is working with other departments to establish a criminal record removal system.

However, wiping the slate clean comes with certain conditions.

Hu Yunteng, research director of Supreme People's Court, said, "Juvenile records for minor offenses will be eliminated after a period of time. And those for more serious crimes will be sealed. As long as the young offenders do not recidivate, their records will be sealed permanently. Those records will be kept by special departments. No one will be allowed to see them without permission."

According to the Criminal Code, offenders who have been convicted must report their legal histories whenever seeking employment.

However, the recidivism rate for juvenile offenders in China is below 2 percent. Therefore, the Court believes that a removal system will better help them reintegrate into society, rather than pushing them farther away.

With juvenile crime currently on the increase, rehabilitation nevertheless remains the principal goal of the juvenile justice system. Juvenile offenders need to be provided with the opportunity to mend their ways.

Shen Deyong, Deputy chief of Supreme People's Court, said, "Reprieve should be used more for young offenders, in accordance with the law."

In 1984, Shanghai established the first juvenile court of the country. Since then, criminal cases involving juvenile offenders have been tried there independently of the main courts.

By the end of 2008, over 22 hundred such courts had been set up across the country, and more than 7 thousand judges now preside over cases involving young offenders.