Clerk redaction rule change draws fierce comments
A new procedural rule ending mandatory
But other filers claim critics are overreacting and the new rule will speed public access to court records and follows policies set in federal court and virtually every other state.
At issue is a change to Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420(d) announced by the court on January 21 and effective July 1. The change ends mandatory clerk review of small claims court filings and circuit and county court civil cases, except for Jimmy Ryce civil commitments, cases stemming from sexual assault, and medical malpractice filings. The amended rule makes the redaction of confidential information the exclusive duty of filers, who are already required to file a notice to the clerk when a document has protected information.