Juvenile PetitionJuvenile Petitioning Process
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| Juvenile Petitioning Process |
| Sex Offenders Registration Act - Part 1 |
| Sex Offenders Registration Act - Part 2 |
| Court order granting petition |
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General Information:
· Some individuals adjudicated as juveniles may qualify to petition their sentencing court to be released from registration requirements.
· A juvenile petition MUST be filed before October 1, 2007 or within 3 years after the individual is discharged from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, whichever is later, or the opportunity is lost.
· DO NOT LOSE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PETITION!!
o If you completed your sentence prior to 10/1/2004 you ONLY have until 10-1-2007 to petition the court to be released from registration responsibilities.
o If you completed your sentence after 10/1/2004 you must file a petitions after your 17th birthday and before your 20th birthday.
o You ONLY have ONE opportunity to petition. If the deadline passes or the petition is denied, you cannot go back to court to petition at any other time down the road. Petition on time and give it your best shot!
· The petitioning process states that you must prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that you are not likely to commit further “listed” (registerable) offenses. Some of our recommendations in providing this “proof” are:
o Talk with your attorney about having a risk assessment done.
o Get character reference letters
o Wait until closer to the end of the deadline you have to petition. The fact that you have been offense free during this time period would carry weight.
· It is important that you know that the victim will be informed about the petition if the prosecutor can locate them. The victim will also have an opportunity to submit a written statement or be present at the hearing.
· To look up a specific MCL (Michigan Compiled Law) number go to the Michigan Legislature website.
· HIRE AN ATTORNEY! Shop around and try to find one who has had experience with petitioning and whose petitions have been successful. If you cannot find one who has petitioned before, KNOW the process and make sure that all your bases are covered!
· Pertinent information regarding a Juvenile petition is in red below. Explanations are in {brackets}.