U.S. Judiciary restricted access to criminal case material

The U.S. Judicial Conference, for those who missed it, issued a proposal back on Sept. 10th. to restrict public internet access on criminal case plea agreements identifying people who cooperate with law enforcement officials.

A number of things, such as unexecuted summonses & warrants, juvenile records, and sealed documents are already not included in public criminal case file information available to the public, either on the Internet or at the courthouse, but of particular concern to the Judicial Conference is the practice of compiling & posting lists on the Internet of names, locations, and descriptions of alleged cooperating witnesses. (See Policy Guidelines Here)

Comments to the proposed rules can be made until October 26th.




Comments concerning the draft Rules Governing Judicial Conduct & Disability Proceedings can also still be made until October 15th.