Intent:

To establish the process for accessing a court record associated with a case.

Applicability:

This rule applies to court records associated with a case.

Statement of the Rule:

(1) Written request. A request to access a public court record shall be presented in writing to the clerk of the court unless the clerk waives the requirement. A request to access a non-public court record to which a person is authorized access pursuant to 4-202.03 shall be presented in writing to the clerk of the court. A written request shall contain the requester’s name, mailing address, daytime telephone number and a description of the record requested. If the record is a non-public record, the person making the request shall present identification.

(2) Motion or petition to access record.

(2)(A) If a written request to access a court record is denied by the clerk of court, the person making the request may file a motion or petition to access the record.

(2)(B) A person not authorized to access a non-public court record pursuant to rule 4-202.03 must file a motion or petition to access the record. If the court allows access, the court may impose any reasonable conditions to protect the interests favoring closure.

(2)(C) A motion should be filed when the court record is associated with a case over which the court has continuing jurisdiction. A petition should be filed to access the record if the court record is associated with a case over which the court no longer has jurisdiction.

(3) Motion or petition to reclassify record.

(3)(A) If the court record is associated with a case over which the court has continuing jurisdiction, a person with an interest in a court record may file a motion to classify the record as private, protected, sealed, safeguarded, juvenile court legal, or juvenile court social; or to have information redacted from the record. The court shall deny access to the record until the court enters an order.

(3)(B) If the court record is associated with a case over which the court no longer has jurisdiction, a person with an interest in the record may file a petition to classify the record as private, protected, sealed, safeguarded, juvenile court legal, or juvenile court social; or to have information redacted from the record. The court shall deny access to the record until the court enters an order.

(4) Rules of Procedure Applicable to Motions and Petitions. As appropriate for the nature of the case with which the record is associated, the motion or petition shall be filed and proceedings shall be conducted under the rules of civil procedure, criminal procedure, juvenile procedure, or appellate procedure. The person filing the motion or petition shall serve any representative of the press who has requested notice in the case. The court shall conduct a closure hearing when a motion or petition to close a record is contested, when the press has requested notice of closure motions or petitions in the particular case, or when the court decides public interest in the record warrants a hearing.

(5) Classify – Redact. The court may classify the record as private, protected, sealed, safeguarded, juvenile court legal, or juvenile court social, or redact information from the record if the record or information:

(5)(A) is classified as private, protected, sealed, safeguarded, juvenile court legal, or juvenile court social under Rule 4-202.02;

(5)(B) is classified as private, controlled, or protected by a governmental entity and shared with the court under the Government Records Access and Management Act;

(5)(C) is a record regarding the character or competence of an individual; or

(5)(D) is a record containing information the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

(6) Factors and findings. In deciding whether to allow access to a court record or whether to classify a court record as private, protected, or sealed, safeguarded, juvenile court legal, or juvenile court social, or to redact information from the record, the court may consider any relevant factor, interest, or policy, including but not limited to the interests described in Rule 4-202. In ruling on a motion or petition under this rule the court shall:

(6)(A) make findings and conclusions about specific records;

(6)(B) identify and balance the interests favoring opening and closing the record; and

(6)(C) if the record is ordered closed, determine there are no reasonable alternatives to closure sufficient to protect the interests favoring closure.

(7) Appellate briefs. If an appellate brief is sealed, the clerk of the court shall seal the brief under Rule 4-205. If an appellate brief is classified as private, protected, safeguarded, juvenile court legal, or juvenile court social, the clerk of the court shall allow access only to persons authorized by Rule 4-202.03. If the court orders information redacted from the brief, the clerk of the court shall remove the information and allow public access to the edited brief.

(8) State Law Library. If the petitioner serves the order on the director of the State Law Library, the director shall comply with the order in the same manner as the clerk of the court under paragraph (7).

(9) Compliance. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the order is binding only on the court, the parties to the motion or petition, and the state law library. Compliance with the order by any other person is voluntary.

(10) Governing rules. A request under this rule to access a public court record is also governed by Rule 4-202.06. A motion or petition under this rule is not governed by Rule 4-202.06 or Rule 4-202.07.