A victory for openness
After two weeks under fire, the Oklahoma Supreme Court said Tuesday it would revisit its rule that would have taken detailed court filings off its online site by June 10.
The justices made their earlier ruling in part because of growing concerns over what they deemed personal information showing up in court pleadings. That information includes social security numbers, financial account numbers. But the court expanded that to include dates of birth and home addresses.
That move prompted outcry from the media, some businesses and legal representatives. They charged it would make it more difficult to check the backgrounds of personal and professional associates.
Mark Thomas, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Press Association, told The Oklahoman’s John Greiner: “The original order was too broad, and we applaud the withdrawal of the order, and we will serve on any task force designated to study this issue.”
It’s still too early to say who might be invited to take part in the Supreme Court’s task force, but we’ll stay tuned.
–Paul
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Thanks for the update.
I have to wonder, though: Why do they need a “task force” to study whether or not to participate in the 21st century?