State-by-state guide:

Iowa

Iowa Code Ann. § 232.39 (1997); Iowa R. Juv. Proc. 5.10(b) (1999): The court can exclude the public from hearings if it determines that the public’s interest in keeping the hearing open is outweighed by the possibility of harm to the minor.

Iowa Code Ann. § 323.147 (1997); Iowa R. Juv. Proc. 5.10(a) (1999): In general, juvenile court records are confidential. However, records in cases alleging delinquency are public. If the public is excluded from the juvenile hearing, the transcript of the proceeding shall remain confidential, unless its release is ordered by the court. All records of parental notification are confidential.

Iowa Code Ann. § 232.150 (1997): A juvenile found or alleged to be delinquent may motion the court to seal his file if two years have elapsed since the final discharge of the person; the person has not been subsequently convicted of an act that would be a felony or serious misdemeanor if committed by an adult, and, the person was not placed on youthful offender status. Inspection of sealed records is permitted only pursuant to a court order.

Juvenile name: The name of a juvenile involved with a law enforcement agency may not be revealed to the media unless the media representative qualifies under an exemption to confidentiality provisions. Exemptions to the confidentiality provisions can be made pursuant to a court order for people with a direct interest in the workings of the court and people conducting bona fide research, but no personal identifying data can be released to the researcher. Op Att’y Gen. (Kirkenslager), Sept. 26, 1979.

Delinquency complaints: All delinquency complaints are public records under Iowa Code § 232.147. Op. Att’y Gen. (Vander Hart), March 6, 1992.

Juvenile name: Law enforcement officials must wait until a juvenile has been formally charged to release the juvenile’s name. Op Att’y Gen. (Lepley), September 5, 1991.