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 Arkansas, juvenile records are generally protected under confidentiality laws to shield young individuals from the lifelong consequences of early mistakes. These laws limit the public's access to records related to juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system, including arrest, school, medical, behavioral health records, and family or social history. Arkansas Code Annotated § 9-27-309 outlines the confidentiality and sealing of juvenile records. Access to these records is typically restricted to certain entities, such as the courts, law enforcement, and some government agencies, and may require a court order for others to gain access. Additionally, Arkansas allows for the expungement of juvenile records, which can be requested through a petition to the court. Expungement effectively destroys or removes the records from public view, further protecting the juvenile's privacy and potential future opportunities. The specific procedures and eligibility for sealing and expungement of juvenile records are detailed in the state's statutes and may vary based on the nature of the offense and other factors.