Friday, November 26, 2010
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Calls For More Open Records
KENTUCKY....
Justice John D. Minton Jr., the chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court has directed judges to seal court records only for compelling reasons. In his e-mail to judges, Minton cited a 1996 order by former Chief Justice Robert Stephens that directed judges and clerks to ensure that the public has access to the identity of sealed cases. Minton says that, in recent years, after Kentucky adopted new computer technology, the practice of sealing cases and moving them to the confidential division began anew, and the existence of too many cases are hidden from public view. Minton says there shouldn't be any such instances.
Court officials say they often don't know much about the cases, including why they were closed, if they were closed properly and whether they remain closed. Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk David Nicholson, who is also president of the state court clerk's association, said he was unaware that clerks were erasing some sealed cases from public court terminals.
Justice John D. Minton Jr., the chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court has directed judges to seal court records only for compelling reasons. In his e-mail to judges, Minton cited a 1996 order by former Chief Justice Robert Stephens that directed judges and clerks to ensure that the public has access to the identity of sealed cases. Minton says that, in recent years, after Kentucky adopted new computer technology, the practice of sealing cases and moving them to the confidential division began anew, and the existence of too many cases are hidden from public view. Minton says there shouldn't be any such instances.
Court officials say they often don't know much about the cases, including why they were closed, if they were closed properly and whether they remain closed. Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk David Nicholson, who is also president of the state court clerk's association, said he was unaware that clerks were erasing some sealed cases from public court terminals.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:02 PM 
