Juvenile and other courts, and law enforcement and other public agencies maintain a variety of records regarding juveniles who become involved in the juvenile justice system and the criminal justice system—including arrest records, school records, medical or behavioral health records, and family and social history. Many states have laws that restrict access to these records to protect youth from the stigma of a record in the juvenile justice system or criminal justice system. The confidentiality of juvenile records is in contrast with the open records laws that apply to adults in the criminal justice system. Laws regarding access to juvenile records, sealing of juvenile records, and expungement (destruction or deletion) of juvenile records vary from state to state, and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

In Alabama, juvenile records are generally protected under the principle of confidentiality to shield minors from the lifelong consequences of early mistakes. These records include data from the juvenile justice system, such as arrest records, as well as school and medical records. Access to juvenile records is typically limited to certain parties, such as law enforcement, the courts, and sometimes specific government agencies, with the intent to use the information for rehabilitation and treatment purposes rather than punishment. Alabama law also provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of juvenile records, which can further protect a juvenile's privacy and future prospects. Sealing means that the records are closed off from public view, while expungement refers to the process of erasing the records entirely. The specific conditions and procedures for sealing or expunging juvenile records vary and may depend on factors such as the nature of the offense, the age of the juvenile, and the amount of time that has passed since the offense.