Ohio Supreme Court proposes new rules on court records access

Last Friday, the Ohio Supreme Court proposed new rules for public access to court documents.

It is the court’s first time to put public records policies for Ohio’s courts in writing. The rules process was expedited after lawmakers last session waded into the issue of how court documents should be handled, despite the Ohio Constitution placing authority over their handling under the high court.

The proposed rules favor openness wherever possible, Chief Justice Thomas Moyer said, and generally continue to comply with standards of the state public records laws – though it is not a requirement.

"With a few exceptions, it’s important to note that there is a presumption that records filed in courts are open," Moyer said.