A youthful offender adjudication is available for anyone between the ages of 14 and 19 who has committed certain criminal offenses.
A person is sentenced as a youthful offender in criminal court only after a resolution of the criminal case by plea or a conviction after trial. A person who receives a “youthful offender” sentence receives the benefit of a sealed record and no criminal conviction but may still have to complete a sentence which may include jail, prison, and/or probation or parole.