Court Rules | Ariz. R. Juv. P. 19 | 2018
A. Contents of juvenile court files.
1. Legal file. -- The legal file of the juvenile court shall consist of all pleadings, motions, minute entries, orders, or other documents as the court may order. The legal file shall be open to public inspection without order of the court, except upon a finding by the court of a need to protect the welfare of the victim, another party or a clear public interest in confidentiality. The court shall state its reasons for withholding the legal file, or portions thereof, from public inspection.
2. Social file. -- The social file shall be maintained by the probation department and may consist of all social records, including diagnostic evaluations, psychiatric and psychological reports, treatment records, medical reports, social studies, Department of Child Safety records, police reports, predisposition reports, detention records, and records and reports or work product of the probation department for use by the court in formulating and implementing a rehabilitation plan for the juvenile and his or her family. The social file of the juvenile shall be confidential and withheld from public inspection except upon order of the court.
B. Proceedings. -- Delinquency, incorrigibility, diversion involving delinquent acts and transfer proceedings shall be open to the public, except upon the court's written finding of a need to protect the best interests of a victim, the juvenile, a witness, the state, or a clear public interest in confidentiality.
1. Request to close hearing. -- Any person requesting that a hearing or portion thereof be closed to the public shall give notice of such request to the parties, or to any other person designated by the court, which may include one or more media representatives. The court shall hold a hearing, prior to the proceeding, to determine whether the proceeding should be closed and shall consider the positions of the parties. In determining whether to close a hearing or any portion thereof, the judge may consider any relevant factors, including the likelihood that an open hearing may:
a. Be emotionally harmful to a participant, or
b. Inhibit testimony or the disclosure or discussion of information material to the truth-finding or rehabilitation process, or
c. Otherwise interfere with the emotional well-being of the victim.
C. Release to federal authorities. -- Upon request of the United States Attorney's Office, the juvenile court shall promptly release to that office for presentment to a federal magistrate judge any records concerning a juvenile who is arrested for a criminal offense, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 5032.