The presiding judge of the Los Angeles Juvenile Court plans to open court hearings to the public by the end of the month in an attempt to bolster public confidence by improving accountability and transparency.
The court deals with child abuse and neglect and foster care placement. Many social workers oppose the plan out of concerns for the privacy and the children. The proceedings would be presumed open unless someone objects or a judge decides to close them. -db
From the Los Angeles Times, November 9, 2011, by Garrett Therolf.