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Does any one know the laws concerning releasing the names of suspects who are juveniles? In the recent post about the Orangefield teacher who was killed, the sherrif would not release his name.

I remember a couple of years ago when a boy shot his father and then himself, both names were in the newspaper.

Once the minor is dead, they will usually release it. Also, I believe once the minor is charged as an adult, they will usually release the name. Until that time, they won't.

Keith B wrote:Once the minor is dead, they will usually release it. Also, I believe once the minor is charged as an adult, they will usually release the name. Until that time, they won't.

Is this some kind of privacy law?

Perhaps, if the juvenile evildoers knew they could be subjected to scorn from their peers and community, they'd think twice before acting?

I think I found the answer - Once a juvenile is charged as an adult then it is public record.

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/art ... 002e0.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think once they are charged as an adult, they are considered and adult and the name is public record. But it still varies state to state. And it may also depend on whether the media wants to push their 1st amendment rights under the SCOTUS ruling.

In this case, I think they had already mentioned the kids name in earlier articles as he was the one who called in and they stated he was alone in the home.

Keith B wrote:I think once they are charged as an adult, they are considered and adult and the name is public record. But it still varies state to state. And it may also depend on whether the media wants to push their 1st amendment rights under the SCOTUS ruling.

In this case, I think they had already mentioned the kids name in earlier articles as he was the one who called in and they stated he was alone in the home.

They mentioned his name as being in the house and calling 911, but that was before he became a suspect.

If they're not going to name minors who are charged with a crime, they shouldn't name minors who aren't.

Juveniles, children, and sexual assault victims names are not public information and not subject to open records.

This is obviously a touchy subject... without knowing specifics, I think that Felony Convictions should be public information, regardless of age. What harm would this cause?

For example, had someone found a certain daycare operator had committed Arson as a minor, I don't think that person would have been permitted to operate a daycare had the records been public.

Ameer wrote:If they're not going to name minors who are charged with a crime, they shouldn't name minors who aren't.

Exactly! A minor is a minor and a crime is a crime. What's with the double standard?

Oldgringo wrote:

Ameer wrote:If they're not going to name minors who are charged with a crime, they shouldn't name minors who aren't.

Exactly! A minor is a minor and a crime is a crime. What's with the double standard?

Juvenile convictions aren't really criminal convictions. Juv court sort of runs like a civil Issue - kind of complicated.

So, if a juvenile (?) kills me, I'm not as dead as if an Octogenarion kills me?

Okay, I got it. It's for the kids.

Oldgringo wrote:So, if a juvenile (?) kills me, I'm not as dead as if a Octogenarion kills me?

Okay, I got it. It's for the kids.

Don't roll your eyes at me - I didn't write the codes.

gigag04 wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:So, if a juvenile (?) kills me, I'm not as dead as if a Octogenarion kills me?

Okay, I got it. It's for the kids.

Don't roll your eyes at me - I didn't write the codes.

I know, you're just the messenger.