Consequences of a Juvenile Record

Acceptance Into The Military

The Armed Forces generally will not accept a person with an adult felony on their record. Those with drug offenses (adult or juvenile) are not accepted. Some misdemeanor convictions may not prevent acceptance; however assaultive or weapon offenses may still prevent acceptance. A person cannot enlist while on active probation.

Possession of a Firearm

Michigan law requires purchaser to be 18; Federal law is 21. Technically, a juvenile adjudication should not prevent a person from purchasing a firearm. However, since juvenile adjudications are reported in the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) and are sometimes not distinguished as juvenile offenses, a person may be denied. If so, you must contact the Michigan State Police in Lansing. A juvenile adjudication may prevent obtaining a concealed pistol license.

Sex Offender Registry MCL 28.722

The following rules apply to juvenile offenders:

Only juvenile offenders who are 14 or older at the time of the offense are required to register if the offense is what is called a Tier III offense.

Tier III offenses are:

• A Tier II offender subsequently convicted of another Tier I or Tier II offense.
• Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) 1st, CSC 3rd and Assault with Intent to Commit CSC (penetration) [MCL 750.520b, 750.520d and 750.520g(1)]
• If the offense involves a "Romeo and Juliet" situation then registration won’t be required if proven at a hearing by a preponderance of the evidence, where the prosecutor is given notice that:
• The victim was between the ages of 13 – 16;
• The offender juvenile was not more than 4 years older than the victim; and
• The sexual conduct was consensual.
• CSC 2nd   or Assault with Intent to Commit CSC (sexual contact) where victim is under 13 [MCL 750.520c or MCL 750.520g(2)]
• CSC 4th committed by an individual 17 years of age or older against an individual less than 13 years of age.[MCL 750.520e] This only applies in adult court.
• Kidnapping if victim is a minor (under 18 years old) [MCL750.349]
• Enticing/Kidnapping a child under age 14 (take away, lead, decoy or entice with intent to detain or conceal child from parent or legal guardian) [MCL750.350]
• Gross indecency committed against a victim under age 13 [ MCL 750.338, 750.338a, 750.338b]
• An Attempt or Conspiracy to Commit a Tier III offense.
• An offense substantially similar to a Tier III offense under the law of the United States, another state or country, or tribal or military law.

A juvenile offender who is under 14 at the time of the offense will not have to register.

Juvenile offenders will not appear on the public registry, only on the law enforcement registry.

Juveniles convicted as an adult in Circuit Court (waiver to adult court) or convicted in a designated proceeding in Juvenile Court register as adults and are subject to adult registration rules.