Home Browse Media Law Resources Guides 9th Cir. - Open Courts Compendium IV. Access to criminal court records

J. Other criminal court records issues

Overview

This will vary by jurisdiction.

9th Cir.

United States v. Schlette, 842 F.2d 1574 (9th Cir. 1988). Newspaper has common law right to access presentence investigation reports.

United States v. Doe, 269 Fed.Appx. 626 (9th Cir. 2008). Public has qualified First Amendment right of access to defendant’s plea, sentencing, and probation transcripts. Affirmed district court’s order to unseal them but vacated order to unseal transcripts of hearings in which the government explained the reasons for sealing the plea.

In re Copley Press, Inc., 518 F.3d 1022 (9th Cir. 2008). Public has First Amendment right of access to some documents related to a plea agreement and a complete transcript of the plea colloquy.

Oregonian Publishing Co. v. United States Dist. Ct., 18 Media L. Rep. 1504 (9th Cir. 1990). Recognized a qualified First Amendment right of access to plea agreements and related documents in criminal cases.