Michael Van Cassell of the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports a mixed reaction to a rule change by the Wyoming Supreme Court that will require clerks to redact some personal information in court records before releasing the records to the public. According to the report, financial and Social Security numbers, birth dates, home addresses and the identity of children will be redacted. The rule change is motivated by a desire to reduce identity theft and to protect the privacy of court participants.
The chief justice said the court has received enough complaints about redaction of information that they intend to review the rules to ensure reasonableness.
Bruce Moats, an attorney who specializes in open records law and often represents the Wyoming Press Association, said the court needs to strike a balance. And he indicated it could be a work in progress.