State-by-state guide:

Texas

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 58.007 (1999): With the court’s permission, persons with a legitimate interest in the proceedings or the work of the court can view juvenile court records.

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 54.08 (1999): Juvenile hearings are open to the public unless judge finds good cause to require closure. However, if a child is under the age of 14 at the time of the hearing, the court shall close the hearing to the public unless the court finds that the interests of the child or the interests of the public would be better served by opening the hearing to the public.

Closing proceeding: The Supreme Court of Texas held that it is within the trial court’s discretion to exclude the public from a juvenile court case. According to the court, closure is valid to spare the minor from embarrassment and avoid publicity. In addition, a court has broad discretionary powers in handling juvenile cases. Dendy v. Wilson, 179 S.W.2d 269 (Tex. 1944).

Transfer hearing: The Supreme Court of Texas held that the trial court did not err by allowing the press, but not the general public, to attend the transfer hearing of a juvenile charged with capital murder. R.A.G. v. Texas, 870 S.W.2d 79 (Tex. 1993), judgement rev’d on other grounds, 866 S.W.2d. 199 (Tex. 1993).