Protecting Court Records

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When it comes to court records, judges generally control whether or not records are public or sealed. Most state and local courts that store records electronically use inexpensive imaging systems that scan documents as pictures in PDF format.

Many imaging systems can black out portions of images, providing some degree of privacy. But imaging software also makes it hard for court clerks to verify that confidential information is excluded from motions and forms filed by lawyers. For that reason, many courts won't post imaged documents online.

Instead, many courts post dockets, or chronological lists of motions, rulings, and hearings in each case. Court clerks control docket …