Privacy and Confidentiality of a Juvenile Misdemeanor

[Tmama]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: OH

My son is a minor, and was charged with a misdemeanor. It is going into our Community Diversion Program, and hopefully will be erased from his record after community service, etc.

Are the police and/or court permitted to give information about this to my son's school without his parents' permission? I would prefer that no one outside of police officer, magistrate, and our family know about this.

[cbg]

Until it's erased or sealed, it's public record. While traditionally the names of juvenile offenders are not published, the law does not require it.

[Tmama]

Thanks. I understand that if someone goes looking for it they can find it, but is there any requirement that the police or magistrate inform the school if it did not happen on school grounds, during school hours, or involving anyone else but my son?

[cbg]

I am not aware of any requirement that they do so. I am also not aware of any prohibition against their doing so.

[aardvarc]

It's also not uncommon for law enforcement agencies who have officers "stationed" at schools to routinely notify those officers of students in their school who have been arrested, and that officer may share information with school authorities at their discretion depending on the nature of the crime in question. Shoplifting at the mall? Probably not worth mentioning. Anything having to do with destruction of property, criminal mischief, or threats of or actual violence, a strong probability.