Final answer:
Juvenile court records are confidential and not disclosed except for traffic violations or matters provided by law, protecting the juveniles' future and identity while allowing exceptions when necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
All records and reports regarding proceedings before a juvenile court are confidential and shall not be disclosed except for traffic violations or matters expressly provided by law. Juvenile court records are protected due to the sensitive nature of juvenile proceedings and the interest in rehabilitating young offenders rather than punishing them. While these records are kept confidential to protect the identities and futures of the juveniles, exceptions such as disclosing information for traffic violations exist due to their lesser impact on future prospects.
The confidentiality of juvenile court records plays a critical role in keeping young people’s mistakes from following them into adulthood. Exceptions are typically limited to situations where the public's right to know or the needs of justice outweigh these protective considerations, as in the case of traffic violations which may be considered less sensitive. The preservation and disclosure of such records are dictated by specific laws designed to balance the interests of the juvenile, the justice system, and public safety