Freedom of Information

torrey · #1 04-10-2002, 09:13 AM

WHat all does this include? Court Records? Can you find the actual court transcripts of cases tried? How do law students and lawyers research different cases? Do they have a room at the court house to research and read or copy court cases?
I would think making copies would be outragious if you are just researching particular data. It cost me $5.00 a page to get a copy of my divorce degree. It wasn't even notorized.

soraya · #2 04-10-2002, 09:28 AM

I once found a web site where you could read the trial script of every case. But you had to pay a lot to become a member. And of course, only paying members could read the scripts...

torrey · #3 04-10-2002, 10:16 AM

Maybe we could go in together on this. One would have the pass word (Fe X ?) so we would NOT be caught sharing but that person could forward the case on by e-mail to whoever requested it,

I wonder about how far back in years the information goes. I bet it is only for cases in the last couple of years? I've noticed newspapers archive now but the most is 10 years back most are only for 2 years.

soraya · #4 04-10-2002, 01:54 PM

hey torrey that sounds like a good idea! I found the web site because Darrell asked me to research some cases for him. unfortunally I couldn't do that...so let's put our heads together

torrey · #5 04-10-2002, 02:51 PM

Maybe you can look up that site again and find out the cost. Divide it up with those that are interested. Then we can ask Fed X or someone to collect the funds and sign up for the site and share the information with those who request it by e-mail request.

soraya · #6 04-11-2002, 03:07 AM

I will look into it tonight, at home...have to dig through Darrell's letters to find it back...but I love doing that anyway

torrey · #7 04-17-2002, 08:59 AM

Did anyone find out if you can "check out" court documents about cases? Read through the transcripts with out making copies?
Are they considered public information?

Budwoman · #8 04-17-2002, 01:13 PM

ALL TRIAL TRANSCRIPTS ARE A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD. YOU CAN GO TO THE STATE AND COUNTY THAT THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN AND GO TO THE CLERK OF COURT'S OFFICE AND REQUEST THOSE TRANSCRIPTS.

IF THE TRIAL WAS HELD A WHILE BACK, THE RECORDS ARE PUT ON MICRO DISK. IT SOMETIMES TAKES A WHILE TO GET THIS INFORMATION TO COME UP.

IF YOU NEED THE TRANSCRIPT PRINTED, THEY DO CHARGE ABOUT $200.00 (IN nc) FOR THE TRANSCRIPT. THIS INCLUDES TIME INVOLVED AND PAPER TO PRINT THE TRANSCRIPT.

IT IS AVAILABLE.

DONNA