Secret Courts

Delinquency proceedings: Whether a juvenile delinquency proceeding is open to the public in Maine depends on the nature of the alleged offense. Hearings are open to the public if the crime would constitute murder or certain felonies if committed by an adult or a misdemeanor if committed by an adult and the juvenile has previously been adjudicated of committing a juvenile crime. The general public is excluded from all other delinquency hearings and proceedings. Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 15, § 3307 (2011).

Delinquency and dependency proceedings: Juvenile court proceedings generally are open in Iowa, although the court, on the motion of any of the parties or on its own, may exclude the public from the hearing if the court determines that the possibility of damage or harm to the child outweighs the public’s interest in an open hearing. Upon closing the hearing to the public, however, the court may admit those people with a direct interest in the case or in the work of the court. Iowa Code Ann. §§ 232.39, 232.92 (West 2012).

Delinquency and dependency proceedings: In general, only people whose presence is requested by a parent or guardian or whom the judge deems to have a direct interest in the case upon considering the minor’s best interests can attend juvenile court proceedings in Hawaii. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 571-41 (2011).