WHY ARE COURT RECORDS GENERALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
There are several reasons why court records are open to the public. Some reasons are for the benefit of the parties in a case, some are for the benefit of people even if they are not parties, and others are for the benefit of the public generally. One important reason court records are open to the public is to allow the public to see what the courts are doing and how the courts work. This benefits the parties by helping to make sure that everyone is treated the same. And, it also helps people have confidence in the courts as being a fair and safe place to go to resolve disputes. Being able to see court records also allows people to protect themselves against people, businesses, or organizations that have hurt others, including through criminal activity. Finally, being able to see court records helps people know what they can and cannot do when dealing with each other. Sources and Examples: Privacy Rules ยง 1.0.
