Death records in boy's murder must be released: public interest outweighs interests in confidentiality under common law test
Article Abstract:
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in Home News v. New Jersey Department of Health that cause-of-death information on a boy who disappeared and may have ben murdered should be released to the newspaper based on the common law right of access to public records. The Department implemented a policy of nondisclosure following the passage of the AIDS Confidentiality Act. The Court found that in this case wholesome public interest and legitimate private interest in disclosure outweighed confidentiality concerns.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
City requires reason for records request
Article Abstract:
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that a city can require requestors of public records to state their reasons for wanting the records without violating the state's Open Records Act. The court stated that, because the city of Hoover AL had started requiring requestors' reason in order to maintain the integrity of their public records and that the policy did not prevent anyone from obtaining records that were classified as public, the policy did not violate the law.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Public can't get car telephone records
Article Abstract:
The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that records of telephone calls made by public officials from their car phones do not always have to be disclosed upon request under the state's right to know law. The court stated that the public need for the information must be weighed against government confidentiality and personal privacy needs in determining whether more than the amount of the bills should be disclosed.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: One Foster photo must be released; court must consider more. City must disclose details about drug-smuggling cops
- Abstracts: Public concern outweighs privacy: High Court sides with press when school officials sued over recorded phone call
- Abstracts: Interview both sides of mouth: compare what industry experts say in public to what they say in professional conferences
- Abstracts: Philip Morris wins right to reporters' records. Improper testimony about source must be challenged at trial, court says
- Abstracts: Court tells police to release reports or show harm. Civilian complaints of police misconduct must be released