Closed prosecution files not subject to open records law

Article Abstract:

The Texas Supreme Court found in Holmes v. Morales that the Harris County District Attorney's Office was not required to disclose requested investigatory files, even though they were considered closed cases. The Court rejected the argument that district attorney's offices are not governmental bodies subject to the state Open Records Act because they are part of the judiciary. The Court did accept the argument that the exception for law enforcement records under the Act does not distinguish between open and closed cases, and it found that the exception applied.

Texas, Records and correspondence, Public prosecutors

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Community colleges not subject to records act

Article Abstract:

Pennsylvania's high court ruled in Apr 1996 that community colleges do not perform an 'essential government function' and thus are immune from the state's Right to Know Act. The case involved the Community College of Philadelphia's March 1992 refusal to disclose documents concerning campus security upon a demand by editors of the student newspaper. The Court of Common Pleas sided with the college, and was reversed in the Commonwealth Court, which the state's Supreme Court overruled unanimously.

Cases, Pennsylvania, Community colleges

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