provide for a program of treatment, training, and rehabilitation consistent with the
child's best interests and the protection of the public interest;

(5) To conserve and strengthen the child's family ties and to separate a
child from his parents only when necessary for his welfare or in the interest of public
safety;

(6) If necessary to remove a child from his home, to secure for him
custody, care, and discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which should
have been given by his parents; and

(7) To provide judicial procedures for carrying out the provisions of this

subtitle.

(b) This subtitle shall be liberally construed to effectuate these purposes.
3-812.

(e) (1) The court shall conduct all hearings in an informal manner.

(2) In any proceeding in which a child is alleged to be in need of
supervision or assistance or to have committed a delinquent act that would be a
misdemeanor if committed by an adult, the court may exclude the general public from
a hearing, and admit only THE VICTIM AND those persons having a direct interest in
the proceeding and their representatives.

(3) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, in a case in
which a child is alleged to have committed a delinquent act that would be a felony if
committed by an adult, the court shall conduct in open court any hearing or other
proceeding at which the child has a right to appear.

(4) For good cause shown, the court may exclude the general public from
a hearing or other proceeding in a case in which a child is alleged to have committed
a delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult and admit only the
victim and those persons having a direct interest in the proceeding and their
representatives:

(5) Except as provided in paragraph (6) of this subsection, the court shall
announce, in open court, adjudications and dispositions in cases where a child is
alleged to have committed a delinquent act which would be a felony if committed by
an adult. 

(6) For good cause shown, the court may exclude the general public from
a proceeding at which an adjudication or disposition is announced and admit only the
victim and those persons having a direct interest in the proceeding and their
representatives.

3-817.

(a) The court may waive the exclusive jurisdiction conferred by § 3-804 OF
THIS SUBTITLE with respect to a petition alleging delinquency by:

(1) A child who is 15 years old or older; or