Thousands of people in Maricopa County could be eligible to have their juvenile records cleared

Project Restore was launched in 2023 and helps people clear juvenile court convictions from their records.

Sep 9, 2025, 12:10 PM

Watch: How an event helped citizens clear their juvenile records | 5 mins

PHOENIX — Thousands of people in Maricopa County who were convicted of crimes before they turned 18 may be eligible to have their records expunged, according to a Valley judge.

“Juvenile court is all about rehabilitation,” Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Lori Bustamante said on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday. “People do make mistakes when they’re young and they should have the opportunity to be able to remove any barriers that may be there as a result.”

The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County offers people the chance to have juvenile court convictions removed from their records through “Project Restore: My Record, My Rights,” which started in 2023.

Project Restore helps woman clear assault conviction from record

On Saturday, the project held an event at the Durango Juvenile Court Center, where judges were able to review cases and issue rulings on whether the records could be cleared.

It helped one woman, who was convicted of assault when she was 16 years old, get her record cleared, according to 12News.

The woman will now be able to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, something she was previously ineligible for due to the conviction.

Bustamante admitted that moments like those are emotional for her.

“Of course, I’m human, as judges are human,” she said.

The judge added that this project not only helps people when it comes to enlisting in the military, but also could help those who are searching for work or trying to rent a home.

“This will enable them to move on in a more productive and positive manner,” Bustamante said.

How to check eligibility for Project Restore

Last weekend’s event was not the only way to get a juvenile court record expunged, according to Bustamante.

She said that anyone who wants to check their eligibility can use a tool created by Arizona State University’s Youth Justice Lab, which is available on the Maricopa County Superior Court website.

Bustamante added that certain offenses, such as DUI, may make a person ineligible for the project.

“We want people to move on from their past and be able to put their mistakes behind them, especially mistakes that they made when they were young and when their brain wasn’t completely developed at that time,” she said.