VIII. Proceedings involving minors

Overview

Oregon

Because of the robust access provisions provided by the Oregon Constitution, juvenile proceedings are open to the public and the media. See generally State ex rel Oregonian Pub. Co. v. Deiz, 289 Or. 277, 613 P.2d 23 (1980) (striking down as invalid under the Oregon Constitution a statute that allowed judges to exclude the press from juvenile court proceedings). However, camera access may not be allowed in juvenile proceedings. See infra section XI.

In general, records of juvenile proceedings are not available. In Oregon, juveniles are not “arrested,” but are taken into custody. Thus, the provisions of ORS 192.501(3) allowing for disclosure of arrest records do not apply to juveniles. In addition, juvenile court records are governed by ORS 419A.255, which makes those records confidential and privileged, but allows copies to be provided to attorneys of the child.