In view of the increasing incidence of minor offenses committed by adults, the proper management of adult criminal records has become a pivotal issue in the reform of China's criminal justice system. This paper undertakes a theoretical inquiry into the normative foundations for establishing a record sealing system for adult minor offenses, drawing upon the theory of social defense, the concept of human rights protection, and the principle of penal minimalism. Through a comparative analysis of the legal frameworks in countries such as the United States, Germany, and Japan, the study identifies valuable insights regarding the scope of record sealing, procedural safeguards, and mechanisms for t... More >