From the Hotline

By Teri Henning, General Counsel
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: Last year, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts issued a proposed policy for electronic access to court records. What is happening with the proposed policy?

A: On Nov. 21, 2005, the PNA filed comments objecting to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts’ proposed policy on electronic access to court records. Under the proposed policy, the public would be able to access some court information via the Internet, but would be blocked from viewing a significant amount of public information electronically, including "witness information," "victim information" or even specific identifying information relating to individuals who have been charged with crimes.

The PNA objected to the proposed policy, arguing, among other things, that the policy is inconsistent with well-settled constitutional and common law principles regarding access to court records. A number of individual members signed on to the PNA’s comments, which can be found below.

[PNA'S COMMENTS ON AOPC POLICY]

We have just been informed that there will be a public hearing on the proposed rules on March 2, 2006, beginning at 9 a.m., in Harrisburg. Chief Justice Emeritus Stephen A. Zappala will preside over the hearing in Commonwealth Court’s courtroom #1, located in the Irvis Office Building, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, Pa. Individuals who would like to offer comments at the hearing must sign up by Feb. 24, 2006 with the AOPC. The registration form is below. Starting Feb. 4, information can also be found at www.courts.state.pa.us. A notice of the hearing will also be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This is obviously a very important issue to our members, and we encourage you to participate in the process. Please call Teri Henning at (717) 703-3076 with any questions or for more information.

[PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE]

[PUBLIC HEARING REGISTRATION FORM]

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