KANSAS STATUTES AND CODES

38-2353. Hearings; open to the public; restrictions.

38-2353

Chapter 38.--MINORS Article 23.--REVISED KANSAS JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE

38-2353. Hearings; open to the public;restrictions.(a) All hearings shall be open to the public, unless thejudge determines thatopening the hearing to the public is not in the best interests of the victim orof any juvenile who atthe time of the alleged offense was less than 16 years of age.

(b) If the court determines that opening the court proceedings to the publicis not in the bestinterest of the juvenile, the court may exclude all persons except thejuvenile, the juvenile's parents,attorneys for parties, officers of the court, the witness testifying and thevictim, as defined insubsection (b) of K.S.A. 74-7333, and amendments thereto, or such members ofthe victim's family,as defined in subsection (c)(2) of K.S.A. 74-7335, and amendments thereto, asthe court deemsappropriate. Upon agreement of all parties, the court shall allow otherpersons to attend the hearingunless the court finds the presence of the persons would be disruptive to theproceedings.

(c) As used in this section, "hearings" shall include detention, firstappearance, adjudicatory,sentencing and all other hearings held under this code. Nothing in this sectionshall limit the judge'sauthority to sequester witnesses.

History: L. 2006, ch. 169, § 53; Jan. 1, 2007.