Court strikes down sealed case indexes

Article Abstract:

The US District Court in Massachusetts ruled in Globe Newspaper Co v. Fenton that a state law sealing case indices of criminal trials was a First Amendment restraint of the public's right of access to court records. The statute on former defendants' privacy rights was held to be overbroad, since it pertained to all cases, not just those where the defendant had a special interest in privacy protections. The court stated public access outweighed former criminal defendants' right to privacy.

Cases, Privacy, Right of, Right of privacy

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Court opens some records of doctor review panels

Article Abstract:

The US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit has ruled that a Maryland law sealing the records of medical peer review committees is not applicable in cases where the committee is sued and the records become discoverable under the law's confidentiality exception. The court stated that maintaining the confidentiality of the review committee was not enough of a compelling government interest to violate the constitutional rights of the press.

Records and correspondence, Professional standards review organizations (Medicine)

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Court strikes down secrecy law

Article Abstract:

The Montana Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the state law prohibiting access to criminal affidavits, stating that the law violates the public's right of access to all public records unless there is an individual's right to privacy that outweighs the public's right to know. The law was challenged by direct appeal to the Supreme Court by 25 news organizations prior to the law coming into effect.

Laws, regulations and rules, Affidavits

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