N.Y. Family Court Act § 380.1: Nature and effect of adjudication

§ 380.1. Nature and effect of adjudication. 1. No adjudication under

this article may be denominated a conviction and no person adjudicated a

juvenile delinquent shall be denominated a criminal by reason of such

adjudication.

2. No adjudication under this article shall operate as a forfeiture of

any right or privilege or disqualify any person from holding any public

office or receiving any license granted by public authority. Such

adjudication shall not operate as a disqualification of any person to

pursue or engage in any lawful activity, occupation, profession or

calling.

3. Except where specifically required by statute, no person shall be

required to divulge information pertaining to the arrest of the

respondent or any subsequent proceeding under this article; provided,

however, whenever a person adjudicated a juvenile delinquent has been

placed with the office of children and family services pursuant to

section 353.3 of this article, and is thereafter enrolled as a student

in a public or private elementary or secondary school, the court that

has adjudicated such person shall provide notification of such

adjudication to the designated educational official of the school in

which such person is enrolled as a student. Such notification shall be

used by the designated educational official only for purposes related to

the execution of the student's educational plan, where applicable,

successful school adjustment and reentry into the community. Such

notification shall be kept separate and apart from such student's school

records and shall be accessible only by the designated educational

official. Such notification shall not be part of such student's

permanent school record and shall not be appended to or included in any

documentation regarding such student and shall be destroyed at such time

as such student is no longer enrolled in the school district. At no time

shall such notification be used for any purpose other than those

specified in this subdivision.

4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, where a finding of

juvenile delinquency has been entered, upon request, the records

pertaining to such case shall be made available to the commissioner of

mental health or the commissioner of developmental disabilities, as

appropriate; the case review panel; and the attorney general pursuant to

section 10.05 of the mental hygiene law.