All documents in court files are public record, unless a party in
the case petitions the court to seal the file or selected documents, and
the applicable judge grants an order to that effect.
The only exception I am aware of is adoption records, which by state
law are sealed once the adoption is granted, and accessable only to the
petitioner's lawyer up to then. There may be other exceptions, but I only
work in one area, so that's what I know.
Frank Starr
On Sat, 11 May 2002 00:11:31 -0400 Brigitte <search@tampabay.rr.com>
writes:
> You need to give some thought to the fact that these are legal and
> confidential documents, and most law firms are very sensitive about
> how
> these documents are handled. Confidentiality would have to be
> addressed,
> especially if you're dealing with trial documents.
>
> Brigitte
>
> At 10:11 PM 05/10/2002, you wrote:
> > I've been wondering about the feasability of the following as
> a
> >home-based business idea.
> > At the courthouse where I work, there are constant requests
> for
> >copies of papers from court files. The papers are usually standard
> 8 1/2
> >X 11", with occasional 11 X 14 sheets. There are no arrangements
> for
> >immediate transmission of copies. Either one must order by
> something like
> >FEDEX, or send someone in to get the copies, and then take them to
> an
> >outside fax. The courthouse has fax machines, but will not fax
> documents,
> >and has no current arrangements to accept credit cards.
> > I'm thinking that, if I got a Linux-based laptop with a built
> in
> >scanner, with a cell phone/fax attachment, I could make copies,
> and
> >transmit them countrywide, maybe even worldwide. The cell phone/fax
> would
> >have to be able to work indoors in an area difficult to use a
> standard
> >cell phone in, due to being the ground floor of a three story
> building,
> >and the room having about a dozen aluminum frame structures to
> store
> >court file folders in. One would operate roughly 15 feet in front
> of
> >these, so I don't know how much of an interference they'd be. I do
> know
> >that some cell phone users have to step into the hall to speak and
> hear
> >on their cell phones.
> > The scanner would have to be industrial strength, to handle
> making
> >about 750 copies a week. I would basically scan in and transmit the
> paper
> >images, either by fax or e-mail. Probably fax would be best, so as
> not to
> >congest email bandwith.
> > I'd probably accept credit card orders with something set up
> with a
> >www web site. Don't know what else I'd need.
> > I know that the courthouse will go to having papers on
> computer and
> >available via internet in "a couple of years". The computer will
> be
> >phased in by then, and I suppose new files will be that way, but
> older
> >files may be a while before they are converted.
> > I would probably try and handle the Hillsborough area at
> first, then
> >consider expanding to Pinellas, and maybe Pasco, to try handling
> the
> >entire Tampa Bay area.
> > Any thoughts about needed equipment, costs, etc.? I'd
> probably want
> >the best batteries, too, maybe nickel-metal-hydride?
> >
> >Frank Starr
> >
> >________________________________________________________________
> >GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
> >Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
> >Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
> >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.
>
>
>
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.3 : Fri Aug 01 2014 - 18:17:48 EDT