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Post-Gazette reporter Barbara White Stack investigates the continuing trend of opening up juvenile court cases to the public, and how the practice is gaining favor in some states. While most states allow the public into juvenile court cases for serious crimes, other areas, such as hearings on child abuse or neglect were closed. Many states that forbid access to juvenile cases have a stipulation in the state constitution stating that all courts shall be open, Oregon was the first state to open the doors to its juvenile cases in 1980. Opponents of open courts argue that parents and victims in child abuse or neglect cases deserve a right to privacy and media coverage could skew public opinion of the legal process.