Rule 5.551.Confidentiality of a juvenile case file (§ 827)

Division 3. Juvenile Rules · Chapter 3. General Conduct of Juvenile Court Proceedings · Adopted 2026 · no amendments on record · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.551 defines the juvenile case file that section 827 makes confidential, and preserves every other confidentiality law that applies.

Full Text of Rule 5.551

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This rule defines the scope of a juvenile case file for both living and deceased children and recognizes the applicability of other confidentiality laws.

(a) Definition of a juvenile case file

A juvenile case file is confidential and includes the records and information described in Welfare and Institutions Code section 827(e), as well as the following:

(1) All records and information filed in a juvenile court case or made available to the court;

(2) Reports to the court by probation officers, social workers of child welfare services programs, and CASA volunteers;

(3) Records and information made available to probation officers, social workers of child welfare services programs, and CASA volunteers in preparation of reports to the court;

(4) Records and information relating to a child within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, whether or not a petition has been filed, that are maintained in the office files of probation officers, social workers of child welfare services programs, and CASA volunteers;

(5) Transcripts, records, or reports relating to matters prepared or released by the court, probation department, or child welfare services program; and

(6) Records and information, including but not limited to video or audio recordings, photographs, digital images and recordings, and exhibits admitted into evidence at juvenile court hearings.

(b) Other applicable law (§ 827(a)(3))

Under no circumstances may this rule, rule 5.552, rule 5.553, or any subdivision of these rules be interpreted to permit access to or release of a juvenile case file, or any portion thereof, that is protected under any other federal or state law, including Penal Code section 11165 et seq., except as provided in those laws, or to limit access to or release of a juvenile case file, or any portion thereof, permitted under any other federal or state law.

End

Plain-English Summary

A juvenile case file is confidential, and this rule defines it broadly — for living and deceased children alike. Beyond what the statute lists, it includes all records and information filed in the case or made available to the court; reports to the court from probation officers, child welfare social workers and CASA volunteers; the records those people used to prepare those reports; records about a child within the court’s jurisdiction held in their office files whether or not a petition has been filed; transcripts and reports prepared or released by the court, probation or the child welfare programme; and video and audio recordings, photographs, digital images, and exhibits admitted into evidence.

The second subdivision cuts both ways, and that is the point. Nothing in this rule or rules 5.552 and 5.553 may be read to permit access to or release of anything protected under another federal or state law, except as those laws provide — and equally, nothing may be read to limit access permitted under another federal or state law.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a juvenile case file?

Everything filed in the case or made available to the court, reports from probation officers, social workers and CASA volunteers and the records used to prepare them, office-file records about a child within the court’s jurisdiction whether or not a petition was filed, transcripts and reports, and recordings, photographs, digital images and admitted exhibits.

Does this rule override other confidentiality laws?

No, in either direction. It may not be read to permit access to anything protected under another federal or state law except as those laws provide, nor to limit access that another law permits.

Amendment History

Rule 5.551 adopted effective January 1, 2026.

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

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