Juvenile Records / Copy Requests

Confidentiality of Juvenile Records

The Superior Court of Orange County Juvenile Court limits access to juvenile court records in accordance with California Rule of Court 5.552, and Welfare and Institution Code section 827.

Availability of these records is restricted to court personnel, the minor, parents or guardian, attorneys involved in the case, and other persons designated by statute. Authorized persons may inspect the juvenile court record by completing a Declaration in Support of Request to Inspect and/or Copy Juvenile Court Records Without a Court Order (L-0673) .

Persons not authorized by statute and the news media must make a request to the court for access to specific juvenile court records. The required forms are contained in the Request for Disclosure of Juvenile Case File in Which an Order is Required Booklet (L-0452). The completed forms can be mailed or delivered to the Juvenile Court Records Department at the Lamoreaux Justice Center. After service of the required documents on all interested parties, and the time to object to the inspection of the record has expired, the Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court will rule on the request or schedule a hearing.
Fees may apply: Records Related Copy Work Fees

Juvenile court records may not be obtained or inspected by civil or criminal subpoena.

Police Reports

Persons not authorized by Welfare and Institutions Code sections 828 and California Rule of Court 5.552 must Petition the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court for access to police reports. The required forms are: Petition to Obtain Report of Law Enforcement Agency (JV-575) and Notice to Child and Parent/Guardian re: Release of Juvenile Police Records and Objection (JV-580), Proof of Service—Juvenile (JV-510) and Proof of Service—Juvenile (Additional Persons Service) (form JV-510(A)) . The completed forms can be mailed or delivered to the Juvenile Court Records Department at the Lamoreaux Justice Center. After service of the required documents on all interested parties, and the time to object has expired, the Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court will rule on the request.