Juvenile records.

Existing law generally subjects any person under 18 years of age who commits a crime to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge that person to be a ward of the court. Under existing law, juvenile court proceedings to declare a minor a ward of the court are commenced by the filing of a petition by the probation officer, the district attorney after consultation with the probation officer, or the prosecuting attorney, as specified. Existing law requires the juvenile court to order the petition of a minor who is subject to the jurisdiction of the court dismissed if the minor satisfactorily completes a term of probation or an informal program of supervision, as specified, and requires the court to seal all records pertaining to that dismissed petition in the custody of the juvenile court and in the custody of law enforcement agencies, the probation department, or the Department of Justice. Existing law requires the court to send a copy of the order to each agency and official named in the order, direct the agency or official to seal its records, and specify a date by which the sealed records are to be destroyed. Existing law prohibits a minor who has committed certain serious, violent, drug-related, or firearm-related offenses, as enumerated, from owning, or having in his or her possession, custody, or control, any firearm until he or she turns 30 years of age. This bill would prohibit the destruction of a sealed record of a ward who is subject to those firearm restrictions until the date upon which he or she turns 33 years of age. Existing law authorizes certain persons or entities to access, inspect, or utilize a sealed record under those provisions for limited purposes. This bill would further authorize a prosecuting attorney or the Department of Justice to access, inspect, or utilize those records for specified purposes relating to the enforcement of the firearm restrictions described above. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 786 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 2952 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2952 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.