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 Arizona, juvenile records are protected under various statutes to maintain confidentiality and protect the privacy of minors involved in the juvenile justice system. Arizona law restricts public access to juvenile court records, which may include documents related to delinquency, dependency, and status offenses. Access to these records is generally limited to parties directly involved in the case, such as the juvenile, their parents or guardians, attorneys, and certain agency representatives. Arizona also provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of juvenile records. Sealing juvenile records means that the records are not accessible to the general public but may still be viewed by certain entities, such as criminal justice agencies. Expungement, on the other hand, involves the destruction or deletion of records so that they are no longer accessible. The eligibility for sealing or expungement of juvenile records in Arizona depends on various factors, including the nature of the offense, the age of the juvenile, and the amount of time that has passed since the case was resolved. It's important for individuals seeking to seal or expunge their juvenile records in Arizona to consult with an attorney to understand the specific requirements and process.