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 Missouri, juvenile records are generally protected under the state's confidentiality laws to shield young individuals from the lifelong consequences of early mistakes. Access to juvenile records is typically limited to certain parties, such as the juvenile and their attorney, the juvenile's parents or guardians, and relevant court personnel. These records include data from various sources, such as arrest records, school performance, medical history, and family background. Missouri law allows for the expungement of certain juvenile records, which means that the records can be destroyed or sealed from public view. The process and eligibility for sealing or expungement of juvenile records are outlined in Missouri's statutes, and they often require the passage of a certain amount of time without subsequent offenses, among other criteria. It's important to note that while juvenile records are more protected than adult criminal records, there may be exceptions where these records could be accessed, such as for serious offenses or by specific government agencies.