From Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Legislators are talking once again about limiting what the public can see on the state court system’s free online database.
Generally speaking, this is unnecessary meddling. This important public information system works well.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) has a legitimate concern: that people subject to baseless criminal charges or lawsuits resolved long ago shouldn’t be unfairly harmed. But while he has a point, these records remain public records. They should remain easily accessible to the public.
Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, pointed out to the Journal Sentinel’s Jason Stein that state court officials already have thoughtfully considered what information should be available. The Wisconsin Consolidated Courts Automation Programs website — better known as CCAP — is an essential tool to keep the public informed, one that gets nearly 8 million visitors a year.
Visit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for more.
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