Written report inadequate, open-records advocate says
Written report inadequate, state open-records advocate says

By Ron Jenkins Comments 0
Published: March 18, 2008

The Oklahoma Supreme Court should adopt an open process to hear from those affected by its order shutting off Internet access to most court documents, an open government advocate said Monday.

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"I think there needs to be a more public process than letters sent to an administrator. I'd like to see hearings, at the very least,” said Joey Senat, past president of FOI Oklahoma, Inc.

Earlier, Michael Evans, administrator of the state court system, said Supreme Court Chief Justice James R. Winchester had asked him to receive comment and prepare a report on the court rules, which also delete some information available at courthouses.

Under the rules, only court dockets will be posted on the Internet after June 10.

Last week, the Ohio Supreme Court backed off plans that also would have restricted information available from court records in that state, such as birth dates and addresses.

In Ohio, a 19-member commission was formed to discuss rules for accessing court records.

"I think the court has mistaken personal for private, and those two aren't necessarily the same thing,” Senat said. "I'd like the opportunity for people to explain to them not only what we think but what courts have held elsewhere, as to the privacy of this information.”

Evans said court clerks had "repeatedly represented to me” their concern that personal information in court documents, such as Social Security numbers and bank account numbers, could be used in identity theft schemes. Evans said he did not know when his report would be sent to the chief justice.

How to comment

Evans said anyone wanting to comment can do so by e-mailing him at michael.evans@oscn.net.