closed hearing
Sealed legal session
A closed hearing is a legal proceeding conducted privately, with the public and press excluded from the courtroom.
Courts close hearings to protect sensitive information, juvenile identities, national security matters, or vulnerable witnesses: The judge ordered a closed hearing to protect the victim's privacy.
Contrasts with open or public hearings.
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- private sessionMeeting excluding outsiders
- secretConcealed information
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- sealedClosed to prevent entry
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closed hearingopen hearing
Proceeding anyone may witness
public hearing · open court · open session · public trial · town hall meeting
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