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 New Hampshire, juvenile records are treated with a high degree of confidentiality to protect the privacy of young individuals who have had encounters with the juvenile justice system. State statutes provide that access to these records is generally limited to certain parties, such as court personnel, law enforcement, and specific agencies involved in the juvenile's care or treatment. The public's access to juvenile records is significantly restricted compared to adult criminal records. New Hampshire law also allows for the sealing and expungement of juvenile records under certain conditions. Sealing juvenile records means that they are hidden from public view, but not destroyed, and can be accessed under limited circumstances. Expungement refers to the process of destroying or deleting the records so that they are no longer accessible. The eligibility for sealing or expungement of juvenile records in New Hampshire depends on various factors, including the nature of the offense, the juvenile's age, the amount of time that has passed since the case was closed, and the individual's subsequent behavior. An attorney can provide specific guidance on how these laws may apply to an individual's circumstances.