in some states juvenile records are automatically sealed...but in other states the record is only sealed if the person requests the seal and if the person is eligible and the charge or arrest is the type that can be sealed and/or if the person pays a fee.

and even if the record is sealed the arrest or charge or conviction can still be seen and used by prosecutors as an enhancing factor in future cases. the record is still viewable by law enforcement agencies when the person makes an application for a job in law enforcement. the feds can still see the record in an immigration case.

so even w/the possibility of sealing/expunging the juvenile record the arrest and possible charge still presents a significant risk of dire future consequence for the juvenile arrestee.