ACLU attorneys who worked on the recently-filed truancy court lawsuit were stunned to find how difficult it was to obtain copies of their clients’ Family Court records. Despite having a signed authorization from the putative plaintiffs, the attorneys first had to obtain formal permission from the Chief Judge to view the records. Even with that authorization, the attorneys were told they could only inspect the documents at the clerk’s office, and could not make copies.

A bill introduced would address this problem by explicitly authorizing parents and their attorneys the right to review and copy these files. The ACLU testified in support of the bill at a recent hearing.

Sponsors

Representative Michael Marcello

Status

Died

Session

2010

Bill number

Position

Support