In Re Keisha T.

Welfare and Institutions Code section 827, subdivision (a) permits juvenile court records to be inspected by certain specified persons and “any other person who may be designated by court order of the judge of the juvenile court upon filing a petition therefor.” We interpret this language to entrust to the juvenile court’s discretion whether to grant the press access to particular confidential court records in juvenile dependency cases. At issue is the conflict between “the salutary function served by the press” in subjecting the juvenile welfare system to “the beneficial effects of public scrutiny” (Brian W. v. Superior Court (1978) 20 Cal.3d 618, 625 [143 Cal.Rptr. 717, 574 P.2d 788 ]), and the need to protect the confidentiality afforded to society’s most vulnerable members, abused and neglected children. Since the Legislature has entrusted the juvenile court with the responsibility for the care and protection of such children in accordance with the best interests of the minors and the public (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 202), it is appropriate that the Legislature has also given the juvenile court the authority to resolve this conflict between public and private interests…