Opening the criminal files on youths who are repeat offenders would add one more element in the fight against juvenile crime, but no one should expect it to make a big difference.

Perhaps the biggest beneficiaries of such openness would be the public. Only when they understand the full extent of the criminal pasts of teenagers facing murder and other serious charges will ordinary citizens begin putting pressure on government to improve its juvenile justice system.Rep. Ray Short, R-Salt Lake, is planning to introduce a bill early next year that would open the criminal histories of youths 16 and older if they commit more than two felonies or a combination of one felony and three misdemeanors. The records of 15-year-olds would be opened if they commit a total of two felonies and five misdemeanors. Short said he may consider opening the records of 14-year-olds, as well.

Currently, those records are sealed. Most media outlets also have policies against broadcasting or printing the names of juveniles charges with crimes. If the law was changed, the media undoubtedly would reconsider these policies.

Historically, juvenile records have been sealed to protect the reputations of people who do regrettable things before they have matured enough to know better. But a growing number of young people are making a mockery of that reasoning, committing awful crimes with such regularity and relative impunity that they are a menace to all around them.

If it is intended to somehow scare juveniles out of committing crimes, Short's bill won't work. Most teenage criminals revel in publicity. Some may even commit crimes in hopes of making the news.

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But the public would be well-served by knowing the backgrounds of such youths.

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