tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147895830446101314.post2273246580444687739..comments2023-11-29T03:34:12.860-05:00Comments on The Unruly of Law: SJC: Public Records Law Doesn't Override Judicial Protective OrderSheldon Toplitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07505633062014123405noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147895830446101314.post-74576830252655170442011-04-03T22:29:58.995-04:002011-04-03T22:29:58.995-04:00Justice Cowin in on the SJC; there is no higher Ma...Justice Cowin in on the SJC; there is no higher Mass. court to appeal to and no basis to have the U.S. Supreme Court review this matter. I believe it was correctly decided. Every public records law has a series of exemptions. Public records laws are creatures of the legislative function--it would be a usurpation of the judicial function if such laws could overrule judicial orders sealing records. There are legitimate reasons to seal documents--proprietary information in business litigation;financial information in divorce proceedings; information about undercover officers in criminal cases; information about juvenile offenses, to name just a few. It would be untenable if anyone could submit an FOIA request and see this private data.It's not always as simple as just espousing "govt. transparency." Witness the FOIA requests for Emails of professors in public universities being used as a tool of political intimidation.Sheldon Toplitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07505633062014123405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147895830446101314.post-48773478047639283682011-04-01T22:12:05.923-04:002011-04-01T22:12:05.923-04:00Would love to hear your thoughts on Justice Cowin&...Would love to hear your thoughts on Justice Cowin's ruling, and whether it could/should be appealed to the Supreme Court. Thanks, as always.Donna Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00677837344778587945noreply@blogger.com