Are juvenile and adoption proceedings generally open to the public?

Juvenile and adoption proceedings are generally closed to the public as a matter of law and policy. This closure serves to protect the privacy and welfare of minors involved in such proceedings. The rationale behind keeping these cases confidential is to ensure that sensitive information regarding the children and their families is not publicly disclosed, which could lead to potential harm or stigma.

In many jurisdictions, the law explicitly states that hearings related to juvenile matters, including delinquency and dependency cases, are not open to the public. Similarly, adoption proceedings aim to create a secure environment for the placement of children in new families, and public access could discourage individuals from pursuing adoption due to fears of judgement or exposure.

While there may be exceptional circumstances where specific individuals within the family may be allowed access, these cases are not the standard practice for public access to juvenile and adoption proceedings. Therefore, the prevailing principle is that these types of cases remain closed to public viewing to protect the best interests of children involved.