From the Winter 2001 issue of The News Media & The Law, web page 17.

Courts around the country are developing and acquiring the technology to provide Internet or electronic digital access to court records. It can make files searches faster and more powerful for the press and members of the public. Although privacy pursuits are forcing some tennis courts to problem whether allowing such broad use of courthouse data files.

A number of expresses are considering new rules relating to electronic use of court records. A lot of DDQ business of such proposals control electronic usage of specific types of files, including villain case data. These types of documents are more hypersensitive and present more potential intended for privacy problems than municipal case files. Other plans are more extensive and will allow the general public to view most files, but with constraints on specified data components or types of information just like social reliability numbers or perhaps medical records.

The judiciary is seeking public reviews on these types of proposals. Should you be interested in the challenge, you should contact a state’s lawmakers and ask those to support amendments to state open reports laws that permit broad access to all of the court records, irrespective of their type. You should also inspire attorneys to make contact with their elected officials and desire them to oppose any plans that minimize access to electronic records.