CONFIDENTIALITY OF JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS - A REVIEW

• NCJ Number: 14107
• Journal: Juvenile Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUGUST 1973) Pages: 30-40
• Author(s): C E CASHMAN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

REVIEWS STATE STATUTES ON THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS AND DISCUSSES THE FAILURE OF MANY COURTS TO ABIDE BY THESE STATUTES, RESULTING IN ABUSE OF RIGHTS OF JUVENILES.

Abstract

JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS ARE REGARDED AS NONCRIMINAL AND REHABILITATIVE, THEREFORE, MOST STATES PROHIBIT THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THESE REPORTS TO THE MILITARY, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS, OR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS CAN OBTAIN RECORDS OF JUVENILE ARREST FROM LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS. JUDGES ALSO USE DISCRETION IN RELEASING INFORMATION FROM JUVENILE RECORDS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ADHERENCE TO THESE STATUTES SHOULD BE MAINTAINED OR THAT THE ENTIRE JUVENILE COURT SHOULD BE ABOLISHED AND THAT THE STATE SHOULD SEEK ENFORCEMENT OF ITS CRIMINAL LAWS IN THE REGULAR PROCESSES OF CRIMINAL COURT PROCEEDINGS WHEREIN THE ACCUSED HAS THE FULL PROTECTION AND BENEFIT OF CONSTITUTIONAL, STATUTORY AND CASE LAW.