Generally not. Rhode Island juvenile court records are confidential and sealed from public view, including from standard background checks for employment, housing, and education. The records do exist within the court system and law enforcement databases but are not publicly accessible. Juvenile records can also be expunged after the juvenile turns 18 if no further criminal involvement occurred. The exception is serious felony cases transferred to adult court — those create permanent adult criminal records visible on background checks. Even for cases that remain in juvenile court, the strong rehabilitation focus and confidentiality protections give juveniles significantly better record outcomes than adult defendants.
