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 Kansas, juvenile records are generally protected under state law to maintain the confidentiality of young individuals who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. Access to these records is typically limited to certain parties, such as law enforcement, the courts, and some government agencies, and is not available to the public. This is to prevent the potential negative lifelong impact that such records could have on a juvenile's future, including their education and employment opportunities. Kansas law allows for the expungement of juvenile records under certain conditions, which means that the records can be sealed or destroyed, making them inaccessible to most parties. The specific procedures and eligibility for sealing or expunging juvenile records are outlined in Kansas statutes, and they may require the fulfillment of certain criteria, such as the passage of time without subsequent offenses, or the completion of a diversion program or probation. An attorney can provide guidance on the process and determine if a juvenile is eligible for record expungement in Kansas.