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 Hawaii, juvenile records are protected under state law to maintain the confidentiality of young individuals who have been involved in the juvenile justice system. These records include arrest records, school records, medical or behavioral health records, and other documents that pertain to a juvenile's interaction with law enforcement and public agencies. Access to these records is generally restricted to certain individuals and entities, such as court personnel, law enforcement, and sometimes the juvenile and their parents or guardians, to safeguard the privacy of the youth and to prevent the potential stigma associated with these records. Hawaii law also provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of juvenile records, which can further protect a juvenile's privacy by removing or destroying records of their involvement in the juvenile justice system. The specifics of how and when juvenile records can be sealed or expunged vary, and an attorney can provide guidance on the process and eligibility criteria.