Expert: John L - 3/12/2010

Question
ok, So im 18 years old now, and im almost done with enlisting in the navy only thing is, i got arrested when i was 15 once and was charged with a felong for burglary and it was toned down to tresspassing, and i had to pay a 250 dollar fine and do community service, when i turned 18 the record was sealed and expunged, they even deleted my finger prints, so i cant even get a court minute, or a arresting officers report, my recruiter is telling me he needs one of the two, but since everything was deleted i cant get them i already  tried, i only have a disposition and a notice saying its sealed. My record is spotless other than the one Felony when i was 15, and this is causing a big problem with my entry, The navy is what i want to do, iv dreamed about it for so long, I dont do drugs or drink, im in good shape, i dont even have a parking ticket to my name, only thing is this felony which was toned down to a misdeameonor but apparantly the military goes by the first charge, my question is if i dont receive a waiver for this and i get disqualified, is there a way i can rejoin the navy somehow? maybe a lawyor?..if not can i try to join another branch, such as the national guard, coast guard, air force, or any reserves?

Answer
Nothing is ever sealed or deleted.  I get juvenile records all the time.  Expunged only matters to civilian courts, not the military.  If the court clerk wont get it for you, you can ask a judge to order ti given to you so you can join.  if the felony was reduced to a misdemenaor, you can join. IF not, and it remained a felony, you cannot join any military ever.