26-7A-36. Hearings closed unless court compelled otherwise--Exceptions.

All hearings in actions under this chapter and chapter 26-8A, 26-8B, or 26-8C are closed unless the court finds compelling reasons to require otherwise. However, all pleadings and hearings shall be open and a matter of public record if a juvenile is summoned into court for an offense which if committed by an adult would constitute a crime of violence as defined in subdivision 22-1-2(9) or a crime involving a drug offense in violation of § 22-42-2 or 22-42-3, and at the time of the offense the juvenile was sixteen years of age or older.

Source: SDC 1939, § 43.0327; SL 1968, ch 164, § 16; SL 1991, ch 217, § 45B; SDCL, § 26-8-32; SL 1996, ch 174.

26-7A-36.1. Attendance at juvenile hearings by crime victims.

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 26-7A-36, the victim of any act of juvenile delinquency may attend all hearings involving the juvenile. The term, victim, means a person who is defined as a victim in subdivision 22-1-2(53) or in § 23A-28C-4, or, if the victim is a child, the victim's parents, guardian, or custodian. The court may exclude a victim from a hearing if the court finds compelling reasons. The court may also sequester a victim who is a witness. The state's attorney shall notify the victim of the time and place of hearings involving the juvenile.

Source: SL 1996, ch 175.