THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 495

(b) All cases under this sub-title concerning children
shall be heard separately from cases against adults. Hear-
ings shall be conducted in an informal manner, and may be
adjourned from time to time. The Judge may exclude from
the hearing room any persons who have no direct interest
in the case. Hearings shall be conducted so as to do sub-
stantial 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.

(c) Upon hearing of any petition, if the Judge deter-
mines 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 deter-
mine, but not beyond the minority of the child, on proba-
tion, 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 placing a child
committed to the custody of a person, agency or institu-
tion, 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.

243. (a) (Disposition of Cases. ) No adjudication by
the Judge upon the status of any child shall operate to
impose any civil disabilities, nor shall be considered as a
finding of guilt, nor shall any child be deemed a criminal
by reason of such adjudication. The proceedings with ref-
erence 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.

(b) 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