What action must be taken regarding juvenile records according to legal requirements?

The correct response emphasizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of juvenile records. In many jurisdictions, legal requirements dictate that juvenile records must be kept separate from adult records to protect the sensitive nature of the information and to acknowledge the distinct legal treatment of juveniles. Juvenile law is designed to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, recognizing that young offenders often have the potential for reform.

By keeping juvenile records separate, the law helps ensure that young individuals are not unduly stigmatized by their past actions as they transition into adulthood. This segregation also aids in preventing juvenile offenses from affecting future opportunities, such as employment or education, which can be crucial for their reintegration into society.

The other options do not accurately reflect standard legal practices surrounding juvenile records. Archiving records indefinitely could compromise privacy rights, public access for transparency would undermine the confidentiality that is central to juvenile justice, and destruction after reaching adulthood is not universally mandated as some records may be retained for specific reasons. Thus, the separation from adult records stands out as the most critical requirement in protecting the rights and futures of juveniles.