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 Oklahoma, juvenile records are generally protected under state law to maintain the confidentiality of minors who have been involved in the juvenile justice system. These records include information such as arrest records, school performance, medical history, and family background. Access to juvenile records is typically restricted to certain parties, such as court personnel, law enforcement, and some government agencies, and is not available to the public to the same extent as adult criminal records. Oklahoma law provides mechanisms for sealing and expunging juvenile records, which can further protect a juvenile's privacy and limit the long-term impact of having been involved in the justice system. The process for sealing involves the court ordering the records to be kept confidential, while expungement refers to the actual destruction or removal of the records from the system. The specific eligibility criteria and procedures for sealing and expungement of juvenile records are outlined in Oklahoma's statutes, and an attorney can provide guidance on navigating these processes.