State-by-state in the Deep South: Electronic access to court records

Research by Tom Bennett

Atlanta, Nov. 1, 2004 -- Here are the summaries of Southern states' electronic access to court records, as shown in 2004 on the web site of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Alabama

The only known Alabama court information available on the web is within the trial courts, available through a private company, Alacourt.com. It offers docket information, name and attorney tracking information and a case monitor. Users must pay a $150 start-up fee and monthly fees ranging from $75 to $125, depending on number of users per account.

Arkansas

The Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Automation is in the process of examining policy issues, including public access that affect electronic access.

Florida

The Judicial Management Council of Florida issued its Report and Recommendations for Privacy and Electronic Access to Court Records in 2001. The report and recommendations appeared in the Florida Bar News. Five interested parties submitted comments to the Supreme Court. They included two private attorneys, LexisNexis, the First Amendment Foundation and The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.  The governor signed a law in 2002 establishing a study committee. In an order, the Supreme Court recognized that the law established a limited moratorium on unrestricted access to electronic records. It prevents any clerk from posting records of military discharge, death certificates, or files, records or papers relating to family law, juvenile or probate court.

Georgia

Georgia has begun a preliminary assessment of the issues dealing with electronic access to court records, but nothing formal has been adopted at this time.

Louisiana

There is no uniform policy or procedure regarding electronic access to public court records. Essentially, it is up to each court.

Mississippi

A committee created by the chief justice to study both cameras in the courtroom and public access issues is finalizing a draft report.

North Carolina

There are no known developments in electronic access to court records in this state.

South Carolina

No report.

Tennessee

No report.

Texas

No report.

Virginia

The Virginia Supreme Court is seeking funds to conduct a policy study on the issue of electronic access to court records.