Government Records

Government Contractors Must Respond to Public Record Requests, Georgia Supreme Court Rules

On August 13, 2024, the Supreme Court of Georgia unanimously reaffirmed the public’s right under Georgia law to demand records from state and local agencies’ private contractors.

Copyright Law Used to Deny Access to Covenant School Shooter’s Manifesto

Court Orders D.C. Police to Produce Thousands of Records About Monitoring Citizens’ Social Media Accounts

The MPD produced more than 160,000 records totaling roughly 700,000 pages, which shed significant light on how MPD keeps tabs on citizens, including those engaged in lawful protest activity, through its monitoring of social media accounts. The District also agreed to pay $400,000 in attorneys’ fees.

American Survivors of Israel’s Deadly 1967 Attack on the U.S.S. Liberty Still Seek Answers

Kinnucan’s lawsuit forced the disclosure of hundreds of documents previously withheld by the government for decades. But NSA has repeatedly stalled and even unilaterally decided to “reprocess” her request after briefing on the case had commenced in the Ninth Circuit. The reason for the delay seems clear; time is running out.

To Seal or Not to Seal—That is the Question

The Fifth Circuit vacated and remanded an order from a district court that unsealed a now-settled case allegedly involving revenge porn because the district court applied the incorrect standard for sealing judicial documents.

Ohio Supreme Court Brings Curtain Down On Covid Data

In a decision that could have far-reaching implications for Ohioans' right to know, the Court held that the Ohio Department of Health must withhold official cause of death information contained in ODH's Electronic Death Registration System from the public.

Connecticut Supreme Court Reaffirms Public Right to Access Cold Case Records

The Supreme Court of Connecticut issued a ruling of first impression defining the scope of an exception to the state FOIA law allowing police to withhold investigative information “to be used in a prospective law enforcement action” if disclosure would be “prejudicial to such action.”

D.C. Circuit Reinforces FOIA’s Foreseeable Harm Requirement

The statute now generally requires agencies to show both that an exemption applies and that disclosure would cause recognized harm. But despite being on the books for eight years, the D.C. Circuit’s ruling is only one of a handful to grapple with the requirement.

Investigative Reporter Wins Access to California Official’s Calendar Entries

On March 5, Judge Chang issued a Final Ruling, in a case under California’s Public Records Act, granting a Writ of Mandate that commands Governor Gavin Newsom to release the calendar entries of all meetings between his Cabinet Secretary and any representative of Pacific Gas & Electric in May 2023.

Virginia Media Win Access to Report on School Shooting

The Circuit Court held that the Virginia Freedom of Information Act required disclosure of a school board’s investigation report into a graduation shooting even though a law firm conducted the investigation and prepared the report.