TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Open Government Advocates Question Courts’ Reopening Plans

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on May 15, 2020

As courts begin resuming in-person operations, open government experts are raising concerns about the transparency of proceedings, WJHL reports. Many of the courts that have begun opening for in-person proceedings have procedures in place to protect public health and safety including limiting access to their buildings and courtrooms. Tennessee Coalition for Open Government Director Deborah Fisher says that most courts are not providing guidance for public or media access. Of the 26 reopening plans she reviewed, only seven included provisions for public access. Fisher said courts could maintain transparency by offering live streams or videos of proceedings while continuing to abide by social distancing and limits on large groups. A related story from WBIR notes that some journalists have appealed directly for help to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

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