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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>63770</law_id><section_number>16.1-309.1</section_number><catch_line>Exception as to confidentiality</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="16.1">Courts Not of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="11">Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="12">Confidentiality and Expungement</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, where consideration of public interest requires, <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> shall make available to the public the name and address of a juvenile and the nature of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> for which a juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent (i) for an act which would be a Class 1, 2, or 3 <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, forcible <span class="dictionary">rape</span>, <span class="dictionary">robbery</span> or <span class="dictionary">burglary</span> or a related <span class="dictionary">offense</span> as set out in Article 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Burglary; how punished" href="/18.2-89/">18.2-89</a> et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2 if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span> or (ii) in any case where a juvenile is sentenced as an <span class="dictionary">adult</span> in <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span>. <a id="paragraph-232336" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> 1. a. At any time prior to <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>, if a juvenile charged with a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> which would constitute a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>, or held in <span class="dictionary">custody</span> by a <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer, or held in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span> pursuant to such charge becomes a fugitive from justice, the attorney for the Commonwealth or, upon notice to the Commonwealth&#x2019;s attorney, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Juvenile Justice or a locally operated court services unit, may, with notice to the juvenile&#x2019;s attorney of record, <span class="dictionary">petition</span> <span class="dictionary">the court</span> having <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> to authorize public release of the juvenile&#x2019;s name, age, physical description and photograph, the charge for which he is sought or for which he was adjudicated and any other information which may expedite his apprehension. Upon a showing that the juvenile is a fugitive and for good cause, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> release of this information to the public. If a juvenile charged with a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> that would constitute a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>, or held in <span class="dictionary">custody</span> by a <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer, or held in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span> pursuant to such charge becomes a fugitive from justice at a time when <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is not in session, the Commonwealth&#x2019;s attorney, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Juvenile Justice, or a locally operated court services unit may, with notice to the juvenile&#x2019;s attorney of record, authorize the public release of the juvenile&#x2019;s name, age, physical description and photograph, the charge for which he is sought, and any other information which may expedite his apprehension.
			b. At any time prior to <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>, if a juvenile charged with a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> which would constitute a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>, or held in <span class="dictionary">custody</span> by a <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer, or held in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span> pursuant to such charge becomes a fugitive from justice, the attorney for the Commonwealth may, with notice to the juvenile&#x2019;s attorney of record, <span class="dictionary">petition</span> <span class="dictionary">the court</span> having <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span> to authorize public release of the juvenile&#x2019;s name, age, physical description and photograph, the charge for which he is sought or for which he was adjudicated and any other information which may expedite his apprehension. Upon a showing that the juvenile is a fugitive and for good cause, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> release of this information to the public. If a juvenile charged with a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> that would constitute a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>, or held in <span class="dictionary">custody</span> by a <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer, or held in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span> pursuant to such charge becomes a fugitive from justice at a time when <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is not in session, the attorney for the Commonwealth may, with notice to the juvenile&#x2019;s attorney of record, authorize the public release of the juvenile&#x2019;s name, age, physical description and photograph, the charge for which he is sought, and any other information which may expedite his apprehension. <a id="paragraph-232337" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> After final <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>, if a juvenile (i) found to have committed a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> becomes a fugitive from justice or (ii) who has been committed to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Juvenile Justice pursuant to subdivision A 14 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Delinquent juveniles" href="/16.1-278.8/">16.1-278.8</a> or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Commitment of serious offenders" href="/16.1-285.1/">16.1-285.1</a> becomes a fugitive from justice by escaping from a facility operated by or under <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> or from the <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of any employee of such facility, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> may release to the public the juvenile&#x2019;s name, age, physical description and photograph, the charge for which he is sought or for which he was committed, and any other information which may expedite his apprehension. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall promptly notify the attorney for the Commonwealth of the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> in which the juvenile was tried whenever information is released pursuant to this subdivision. If a juvenile specified in clause (i) being held after <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span> not operated by or under <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> becomes a fugitive by such escape, the attorney for the Commonwealth of the locality in which the facility is located may release the information as provided in this subdivision. <a id="paragraph-232338" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Whenever a juvenile 14 years of age or older is charged with a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> that would be a criminal violation of Article 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="&quot;Mob&quot; defined" href="/18.2-38/">18.2-38</a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> involving a weapon, a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> violation of Article 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Use of terms &quot;controlled substances,&quot; &quot;marijuana,&quot; &quot;Schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and VI,&quot; &quot;imitation controlled substance,&quot; and &quot;counterfeit controlled substance&quot; in Title 18.2" href="/18.2-247/">18.2-247</a> et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, or an &#x201C;act of violence&#x201D; as defined in subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Sentence of person twice previously convicted of certain violent felonies" href="/19.2-297.1/">19.2-297.1</a> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>, <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> may, where consideration of the public interest requires, make the juvenile&#x2019;s name and address available to the public. <a id="paragraph-232339" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Upon the request of a victim of a <span class="dictionary">delinquent act</span> that would be a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or that would be a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Violation of provisions of protective orders; penalties" href="/16.1-253.2/">16.1-253.2</a>, <a class="law" title="Assault and battery; penalty" href="/18.2-57/">18.2-57</a>, <a class="law" title="Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty" href="/18.2-57.2/">18.2-57.2</a>, <a class="law" title="Stalking; penalty" href="/18.2-60.3/">18.2-60.3</a>, <a class="law" title="Violation of protective orders; penalty" href="/18.2-60.4/">18.2-60.4</a>, <a class="law" title="Sexual battery" href="/18.2-67.4/">18.2-67.4</a>, or <a class="law" title="Attempted rape, forcible sodomy, object sexual penetration, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery" href="/18.2-67.5/">18.2-67.5</a> if committed by an <span class="dictionary">adult</span>, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> may <span class="dictionary">order</span> that such victim be informed of the charge or charges brought, the <span class="dictionary">findings</span> of <span class="dictionary">the court</span>, and the <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> of the case. For purposes of this section, &#x201C;victim&#x201D; shall be defined as in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Crime victim and witness rights" href="/19.2-11.01/">19.2-11.01</a>. <a id="paragraph-232340" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Upon request, <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> or clerk may disclose if an <span class="dictionary">order</span> of emancipation of a juvenile pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Findings necessary to order that minor is emancipated" href="/16.1-333/">16.1-333</a> has been entered, provided (i) the <span class="dictionary">order</span> is not being appealed, (ii) the <span class="dictionary">order</span> has not been terminated, or (iii) there has not been a judicial determination that the <span class="dictionary">order</span> is void ab initio. <a id="paragraph-232341" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, a copy of any <span class="dictionary">court order</span> that imposes a curfew or other restriction on a juvenile may be provided to the chief <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer of the county or city wherein the juvenile resides. The chief <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer shall only disclose information contained in the <span class="dictionary">court order</span> to other <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officers in the conduct of official duties. <a id="paragraph-232342" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, where consideration of public safety requires, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> and locally operated court service unit shall release information relating to a juvenile&#x2019;s criminal street gang involvement, if any, and the criminal street gang-related activity and membership of others, as criminal street gang is defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/18.2-46.1/">18.2-46.1</a>, obtained from an investigation or supervision of a juvenile and shall include the identity or identifying information of the juvenile; however, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> and local court service unit shall not release the identifying information of a juvenile not affiliated with or involved in a criminal street gang unless that information relates to a specific criminal act. Such information shall be released to any State Police, local police <span class="dictionary">department</span>, sheriff&#x2019;s office, or <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement task force that is a part of or administered by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, and that is responsible for the prevention and detection of <span class="dictionary">crime</span> and the enforcement of the penal, traffic, or highway <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth. The exchange of information shall be for the purpose of an investigation into criminal street gang activity. <a id="paragraph-232343" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of Article 12 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective until July 1, 2026) Fingerprints and photographs of juveniles" href="/16.1-299/">16.1-299</a> et seq.), a clerk of <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall report to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the U.S. <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Homeland Security a juvenile who has been detained in a <span class="dictionary">secure facility</span> but only upon an adjudication of delinquency or <span class="dictionary">finding</span> of guilt for a <span class="dictionary">violent juvenile felony</span> and when there is <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that the juvenile is in the United States illegally. <a id="paragraph-232344" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I"><p><span class="prefix-number">I.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, whenever an <span class="dictionary">intake officer</span> proceeds informally against a juvenile, the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> or local court service unit may disclose only such information as necessary to enforce any provision of the <span class="dictionary">diversion</span> program to any <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer, school principal where such juvenile attends school, or known victim. Such information shall remain confidential and not be part of such juvenile&#x2019;s academic record. Additionally, a local court service unit may provide information regarding the availability and ordering of a protective order and <span class="dictionary">restitution</span> and dispositional information to the victim in the case. <a id="paragraph-232345" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-309.1/#I"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1979, c. 94; 1981, c. 307; 1986, c. 506; 1988, c. 749; 1993, c. 297; 1994, cc. 499, 542; 1995, cc. 558, 687, 804; 1997, cc. 434, 452; 1999, c. 710; 2000, cc. 563, 603; 2005, c. 364; 2006, cc. 259, 309, 682; 2008, c. 798; 2010, cc. 367, 472, 526; 2014, c. 230; 2020, cc. 995, 996; 2023, c. 677.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
