WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 2195

may exclude from the hearing room any persons who have no
direct interest in the case. Hearings shall be conducted so as
to do substantial justice according to the rules of substantive
law, and without regard to the technical rules of practice, pro-
cedure, pleading, or evidence, except such provisions as relate
to privileged communications.

844. Upon hearing of any petition, if the Judge determines
that the child is not within his jurisdiction, and is not in need
of care or treatment within the provisions or intent of this
sub-title, he shall dismiss the case. If he determines that the
child is within his jurisdiction, he may place the child for
such period of time as he shall determine, but not beyond the
minority of the child, on probation, or in the custody of a
public or private institution or agency or in the custody of a
person designated by the Judge; provided that after any such
placement the Judge or his successor in office shall have the
right to modify the original order, and make any other order
concerning such child which he has power to make. In plac-
ing a child committed to the custody of a person, agency, or
institution, the placement shall be made, wherever practicable,
with a person, agency, or institution of or governed by persons
of the same religious faith as that of the. parents of the child,
or if the parents are of different religious faith, then of the
religious faith of the child, or if that is not ascertainable, then
of the religious faith of either of the parents. The agency,
institution, or person, having custody shall submit quar-
terly to the Judge a report on each child so committed by
the Judge. Said report shall set forth particulars as to the
type and length of care and treatment already given and con-
templated with respect to such child, with reasons therefor.

No adjudication by the Judge upon the status of any child
shall operate to impose any civil disabilities, nor shall be con-
sidered as a finding of guilt, nor shall any child be deemed a
criminal by reason of such adjudication. The proceedings
with reference to any child or any evidence given before the
Judge shall not be admissible as evidence against the child
in any case or proceedings in any other court. Records of the
Court shall not be open to inspection by the general public.

At any stage of any proceedings before him, the Judge may
suspend sentence, final judgment, or further proceedings for
such period of time as he may deem proper, and pending final
disposition, may impose such terms and conditions within his
jurisdiction as he may deem proper. Whenever the Judge
obtains jurisdiction over a child under the age of eighteen
years, that jurisdiction shall continue until the child reaches
the age of twenty-one years, unless sooner discharged; pro-
vided that nothing herein shall affect the jurisdiction of other