In the Matter of the Expungement Application of D.J.B.

In this case, we consider whether someone who has been adjudged delinquent as a juvenile — for acts that would be considered crimes had they been committed by an adult — can have an adult criminal conviction expunged. The question turns on the specific language of the expungement statute, N.J.S.A. 20:52-1 to -32, and the Legislature’s intent.

Two sections of the expungement law are central to the case: (1) N.J.S.A 2C:52-2, which allows an adult conviction to be expunged under certain circumstances if a defendant has not been convicted of a prior or subsequent crime; and (2) N.J.S.A.…