Ohio Supreme Court public record rules

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Ann Lanzinger last week announced that the commission appointed by the Supreme Court on rules governing public access to court records approached its task balancing two important concepts: protecting the public’s right to know while at the same time protecting the individual’s right of privacy.

“Some have argued that the rules limit the public’s right to access,” she said, “but that is a misunderstanding, for we do not intend to shield court records from the public eye. In making our recommendation, the commission tried to strike a balance between the presumption that court records are open with the need to protect the personal identifying information within them.”

“The Commission on the Rules of Superintendence received more than 50 separate responses to our initial draft from court officials, media, private investigators, state licensing boards, police, attorneys and others. After fully considering all submissions, we made substantial revisions and offer them for another public review.

For a second time, the proposed rules governing public access to court records are being published for 30 days of public comment until Sept. 17th. (See Court’s previous announcement )

Comments may be made before that time to: Jo Ellen Cline, Legislative Counsel, Supreme Court of Ohio, 65 South Front Street, 7th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, or clinej@sconet.state.oh.us.


Additional information can be obtained from prior postings on Nov. 19th. 2007; March 24 and July 11, 2008.