{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-309.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-309.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-309.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-309.html"}],"law_id":78870,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78870,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-309","catch_line":"Penalty","history":"1977, c. 559; 1978, c. 626; 1979, c. 481; 1989, cc. 520, 733; 1993, cc. 645, 889; 1994, cc. 835, 913; 1996, cc. 755, 914; 2003, c. 119; 2017, c. 623.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as provided in §§ 16.1-299, 16.1-300, 16.1-301, 16.1-305 and 16.1-307, any person who (i) files a petition, (ii) receives a petition or has access to court records in an official capacity, (iii) participates in the investigation of allegations which form the basis of a petition, (iv) is interviewed concerning such allegations and whose information is derived solely from such interview or (v) is present during any court proceeding, who discloses or makes use of or knowingly permits the use of identifying information not otherwise available to the public concerning a juvenile who is suspected of being or is the subject of a proceeding within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to subdivisions A 1 through 5 or subdivision A 7 of § 16.1-241 or who is in the custody of the State Department of Juvenile Justice, which information is directly or indirectly derived from the records or files of a law-enforcement agency, court or the Department of Juvenile Justice or acquired in the course of official duties, is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.B\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to any law-enforcement officer or school employee who discloses to school personnel identifying information concerning a juvenile who is suspected of committing or has committed a delinquent act that has met applicable criteria of § 16.1-260 and is committed or alleged to have been committed on school property during a school-sponsored activity or on the way to or from such activity, if the disclosure is made solely for the purpose of enabling school personnel to take appropriate disciplinary action within the school setting against the juvenile. Further, the provisions of this section shall not apply to school personnel who disclose information obtained pursuant to §§ 16.1-305.1 and 22.1-288.2, if the disclosure is made in compliance with those sections.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":282515,"text":"Except as provided in §§ 16.1-299, 16.1-300, 16.1-301, 16.1-305 and 16.1-307, any person who (i) files a petition, (ii) receives a petition or has access to court records in an official capacity, (iii) participates in the investigation of allegations which form the basis of a petition, (iv) is interviewed concerning such allegations and whose information is derived solely from such interview or (v) is present during any court proceeding, who discloses or makes use of or knowingly permits the use of identifying information not otherwise available to the public concerning a juvenile who is suspected of being or is the subject of a proceeding within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to subdivisions A 1 through 5 or subdivision A 7 of § 16.1-241 or who is in the custody of the State Department of Juvenile Justice, which information is directly or indirectly derived from the records or files of a law-enforcement agency, court or the Department of Juvenile Justice or acquired in the course of official duties, is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":282516,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law-enforcement officer or school employee who discloses to school personnel identifying information concerning a juvenile who is suspected of committing or has committed a delinquent act that has met applicable criteria of § 16.1-260 and is committed or alleged to have been committed on school property during a school-sponsored activity or on the way to or from such activity, if the disclosure is made solely for the purpose of enabling school personnel to take appropriate disciplinary action within the school setting against the juvenile. Further, the provisions of this section shall not apply to school personnel who disclose information obtained pursuant to §§ 16.1-305.1 and 22.1-288.2, if the disclosure is made in compliance with those sections.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13940,"edition_id":1,"name":"Confidentiality and Expungement","identifier":"12","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12701,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:21","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:21","permalink":{"id":161017,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13940,"identifier":"12","token":"16.1\/11\/12","url":"\/16.1\/11\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12701,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12701,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84235,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-299","catch_line":"(Effective until July 1, 2026) Fingerprints and photographs of juveniles","url":"\/16.1-299\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-299","metadata":false},{"id":64607,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-299.1","catch_line":"Sample required for DNA analysis upon conviction or adjudication of felony","url":"\/16.1-299.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-299.1","metadata":false},{"id":54996,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-299.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-299.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-299.2","metadata":false},{"id":86382,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-300","catch_line":"Confidentiality of Department records","url":"\/16.1-300\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-300","metadata":false},{"id":74120,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-301","catch_line":"Confidentiality of juvenile law-enforcement records; disclosures to school principal and others","url":"\/16.1-301\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-301","metadata":false},{"id":64090,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-302","catch_line":"Dockets, indices, and order books; when hearings and records private; right to public hearing; presence of juvenile in court","url":"\/16.1-302\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-302","metadata":false},{"id":70200,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-302.1","catch_line":"Right of victim or representative to attend certain proceedings; notice of hearings","url":"\/16.1-302.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-302.1","metadata":false},{"id":62170,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-303","catch_line":"Reports of court officials and employees when privileged","url":"\/16.1-303\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-303","metadata":false},{"id":57650,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-304","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-304\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-304","metadata":false},{"id":87014,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-305","catch_line":"Confidentiality of court records","url":"\/16.1-305\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-305","metadata":false},{"id":83654,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-305.01","catch_line":"Access to child and spousal support case files","url":"\/16.1-305.01\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-305.01","metadata":false},{"id":61575,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-305.1","catch_line":"Disclosure of disposition in certain delinquency cases","url":"\/16.1-305.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-305.1","metadata":false},{"id":72253,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-305.2","catch_line":"Disclosure of notice of the filing of a petition and certain reports by division superintendent","url":"\/16.1-305.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-305.2","metadata":false},{"id":66357,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-306","catch_line":"Expungement of court records","url":"\/16.1-306\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-306","metadata":false},{"id":83957,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-307","catch_line":"Circuit court records regarding juveniles","url":"\/16.1-307\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-307","metadata":false},{"id":82034,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-308","catch_line":"Effect of adjudication on status of child","url":"\/16.1-308\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-308","metadata":false},{"id":78870,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-309","catch_line":"Penalty","url":"\/16.1-309\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-309","metadata":false},{"id":63770,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-309.1","catch_line":"Exception as to confidentiality","url":"\/16.1-309.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-309.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":82034,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-308","catch_line":"Effect of adjudication on status of child","url":"\/16.1-308\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-308","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":63770,"structure_id":13940,"section_number":"16.1-309.1","catch_line":"Exception as to confidentiality","url":"\/16.1-309.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-309.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-309\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 559 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1978, chapter 626; in 1979, chapter 481; in 1989, chapters 520 and 733; in 1993, chapters 645 and 889; in 1994, chapters 835<\/a> and 913<\/a>; in 1996, chapters 755<\/a> and 914<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 119<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 623<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80543,"section_number":"22.1-289","catch_line":"Transfer and management of scholastic records; disclosure of information in court notices; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-289\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":71312,"section_number":"16.1-241","catch_line":"Jurisdiction; consent for abortion","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-241\/"},{"id":57160,"section_number":"16.1-260","catch_line":"Intake; petition; investigation","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-260\/"},{"id":84235,"section_number":"16.1-299","catch_line":"(Effective until July 1, 2026) Fingerprints and photographs of juveniles","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-299\/"},{"id":86382,"section_number":"16.1-300","catch_line":"Confidentiality of Department records","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-300\/"},{"id":74120,"section_number":"16.1-301","catch_line":"Confidentiality of juvenile law-enforcement records; disclosures to school principal and others","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-301\/"},{"id":87014,"section_number":"16.1-305","catch_line":"Confidentiality of court records","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-305\/"},{"id":61575,"section_number":"16.1-305.1","catch_line":"Disclosure of disposition in certain delinquency cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-305.1\/"},{"id":83957,"section_number":"16.1-307","catch_line":"Circuit court records regarding juveniles","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-307\/"},{"id":60447,"section_number":"22.1-288.2","catch_line":"Receipt, dissemination and maintenance of records of certain law-enforcement information","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-288.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":161083,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78870,"identifier":"16.1-309","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-309","url":"\/16.1-309\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-309\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12\/16.1-309","dublin_core":{"Title":"Penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-309","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as provided in §§ 16.1-299<\/a>, 16.1-300<\/a>, 16.1-301<\/a>, 16.1-305<\/a> and 16.1-307<\/a>, any person who (i) files a petition<\/span>, (ii) receives a petition<\/span> or has access to court records in an official capacity, (iii) participates in the investigation of allegations<\/span> which form the basis of a petition<\/span>, (iv) is interviewed concerning such allegations<\/span> and whose information is derived solely from such interview or (v) is present during any court proceeding, who discloses or makes use of or knowingly permits the use of identifying information not otherwise available to the public concerning a juvenile who is suspected of being or is the subject of a proceeding within the jurisdiction<\/span> of the juvenile court<\/span> pursuant to subdivisions A 1 through 5 or subdivision A 7 of § 16.1-241<\/a> or who is in the custody<\/span> of the State Department<\/span> of Juvenile Justice, which information is directly or indirectly derived from the records or files of a law<\/span>-enforcement agency, court or the Department<\/span> of Juvenile Justice or acquired in the course of official duties, is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law<\/span>-enforcement officer or school employee who discloses to school personnel identifying information concerning a juvenile who is suspected of committing or has committed a delinquent act<\/span> that has met applicable criteria of § 16.1-260<\/a> and is committed or alleged to have been committed on school property during a school-sponsored activity or on the way to or from such activity, if the disclosure is made solely for the purpose of enabling school personnel to take appropriate disciplinary action within the school setting against the juvenile. Further, the provisions of this section shall not apply to school personnel who disclose information obtained pursuant to §§ 16.1-305.1<\/a> and 22.1-288.2<\/a>, if the disclosure is made in compliance with those sections. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPENALTY (\u00a7 16.1-309)\n\nA. Except as provided in §§ 16.1-299, 16.1-300, 16.1-301, 16.1-305 and\n16.1-307, any person who (i) files a petition, (ii) receives a petition or has\naccess to court records in an official capacity, (iii) participates in the\ninvestigation of allegations which form the basis of a petition, (iv) is\ninterviewed concerning such allegations and whose information is derived solely\nfrom such interview or (v) is present during any court proceeding, who discloses\nor makes use of or knowingly permits the use of identifying information not\notherwise available to the public concerning a juvenile who is suspected of\nbeing or is the subject of a proceeding within the jurisdiction of the juvenile\ncourt pursuant to subdivisions A 1 through 5 or subdivision A 7 of §\n16.1-241 or who is in the custody of the State Department of Juvenile Justice,\nwhich information is directly or indirectly derived from the records or files of\na law-enforcement agency, court or the Department of Juvenile Justice or\nacquired in the course of official duties, is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nB. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law-enforcement officer\nor school employee who discloses to school personnel identifying information\nconcerning a juvenile who is suspected of committing or has committed a\ndelinquent act that has met applicable criteria of § 16.1-260 and is\ncommitted or alleged to have been committed on school property during a\nschool-sponsored activity or on the way to or from such activity, if the\ndisclosure is made solely for the purpose of enabling school personnel to take\nappropriate disciplinary action within the school setting against the juvenile.\nFurther, the provisions of this section shall not apply to school personnel who\ndisclose information obtained pursuant to §§ 16.1-305.1 and\n22.1-288.2, if the disclosure is made in compliance with those sections.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 559; 1978, c. 626; 1979, c. 481; 1989, cc. 520, 733; 1993, cc.\n645, 889; 1994, cc. 835, 913; 1996, cc. 755, 914; 2003, c. 119; 2017, c. 623.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}