Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: witness box
Sealing of records means that some information is kept private and not available to the public. This is allowed by some state laws, but not all. Usually, only a court can decide to seal records. Depending on the state, the records might be hidden or destroyed completely. Some types of records, like those for kids or trade secrets, can be sealed.
Sealing of records is a legal process that allows certain civil or criminal records to be kept private and away from public access. This means that the records are not available for anyone to see, except for certain authorized individuals or organizations.
The process of sealing records varies from state to state, and not all states allow for it. In states that do allow for it, only a court can seal records. Depending on the state, the records may be hidden from public view, destroyed completely, or expunged.
Examples of records that can be sealed include:
For example, if a person was convicted of a non-violent crime when they were a teenager, they may be able to have their juvenile record sealed so that it does not show up on background checks. This can help them when applying for jobs or housing, as they will not have to disclose their past conviction.
Another example is if a company has trade secrets that they want to keep confidential, they may be able to have certain records related to those trade secrets sealed so that they are not available to the public.