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 Minnesota, juvenile court records are generally not open to the public to protect the privacy of juveniles and to avoid the stigma that may come with a juvenile record. Access to these records is typically limited to parties involved in the case, such as the juvenile, their parents or guardians, attorneys, and certain government agencies. Minnesota law allows for the expungement of juvenile records, which means that the record is sealed and treated as if it never existed. This process is governed by Minnesota Statutes Section 260B.198 and 260B.193, which outline the circumstances under which records can be expunged, including the completion of a diversion program or the passage of a certain amount of time without new offenses. The expungement process can be complex, and an attorney can provide guidance on eligibility and the steps involved.