Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Tennessee Code Title 37. Juveniles § 37-1-154

Current as of January 02, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Unless a charge of delinquency is transferred for criminal prosecution under § 37-1-134, the interest of national security requires or the court otherwise orders in the interest of the child, the law enforcement records and files shall not be open to public inspection or their contents disclosed to the public; but inspection of the records and files is permitted by:

(1) A juvenile court having the child before it in any proceeding;

(2) Counsel for a party to the proceeding;

(3) The officers of public institutions or agencies to whom the child is committed;

(4) Law enforcement officers of other jurisdictions when necessary for the discharge of their official duties; and

(5) A court in which such child is convicted of a criminal offense for the purpose of a presentence report or other dispositional proceeding, or by officials of penal institutions and other penal facilities to which such child is committed, or by a parole board in considering such child's parole or discharge or in exercising supervision over such child.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), petitions and orders of the court in a delinquency proceeding under this part shall be opened to public inspection and their content subject to disclosure to the public if:

(1)(A) The juvenile is fourteen (14) years of age or older at the time of the alleged act; and

(B) The conduct constituting the delinquent act, if committed by an adult, would constitute first degree murder, second degree murder, rape, aggravated rape, aggravated sexual battery, rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated robbery, especially aggravated robbery, kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, or especially aggravated kidnapping; or

(2) The conduct constituting the delinquent act, if committed by an adult, would constitute an act of terrorism, as defined by § 39-13-803, or an attempt to commit an act of terrorism.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if a court file or record contains any documents other than petitions and orders, including, but not limited to, a medical report, psychological evaluation or any other document, such document or record shall remain confidential.

(d)(1) Except as otherwise permitted in this section, it is an offense for a person to intentionally disclose or disseminate to the public the law enforcement records concerning a charge of delinquency, including the child's name and address.

(2) A violation of this subsection (d) shall be punished as criminal contempt of court as otherwise authorized by law.

(e) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, where notice is required under § 49-6-3051, an abstract of the appropriate adjudication contained in the court file or record shall be made and provided to the parent, guardian, or other custodian of the juvenile, including the department, and this abstract shall be presented to the school in which the juvenile is, or may be, enrolled, in compliance with § 49-6-3051.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Tennessee Code Title 37. Juveniles § 37-1-154 - last updated January 02, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-37-juveniles/tn-code-sect-37-1-154/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard