NCJ Number
156876
Journal
Illinois Bar Journal Volume: 83 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1995) Pages: 402-409
Date Published
1995
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Illinois has joined a national trend by adopting legislation to allow, or possibly require, courts to release juvenile court records.
Abstract
The new law reverses a longstanding policy in Illinois that kept juvenile records confidential to rehabilitate children who had been adjudicated delinquent. The law permits courts to provide general public access to both names and addresses of juveniles adjudicated delinquent for murder, attempted murder, sex crimes, crimes committed with a gun, gang-related felonies, and certain drug offenses. Proponents of releasing juvenile records argue that juveniles will be deterred from committing crimes if they know their actions will be publicized and parents will be forced to impose stricter controls on children to avoid the embarrassment and humiliation of publicity. Opponents argue that releasing records will continue to punish offenders after they serve their sentence, create a climate of vigilantism, and prevent rehabilitation. Opponents also contend that public access to offender names has not reduced adult crime and will not reduce juvenile crime. Principles and provisions of the juvenile confidentiality law in Illinois are reviewed, and criticisms of the law are noted. 79 footnotes