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 Vermont, 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. Access to these records is generally restricted to certain parties, such as court personnel, law enforcement, and sometimes the juvenile and their parents or guardians. Vermont law allows for the sealing and expungement of juvenile records under specific conditions, which can include the passage of time without new offenses, completion of a court-ordered program, or reaching a certain age. The intent behind these laws is to prevent the long-term negative impact that a juvenile record might have on a young person's future, including their education and employment opportunities. The exact procedures and eligibility criteria for sealing or expunging juvenile records can be found in Vermont's statutes, and an attorney can provide guidance on navigating these processes.