Ohio Justices Question Own Rules Governing Records Access

Ohio Supreme Court justices on Wednesday pressed an attorney representing a county clerk of court on why the high court can enact rules that—at least to some—go further than state law in restricting public access to records.

Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy (R) and Justice R. Patrick DeWine (R) appeared concerned with how the superintendence rules for all state courts, especially the ones enacted in 2009 pertaining to records, could restrict access to the judicial branch more than the executive and legislative branches.

Other court rules, like those for civil procedure, are reviewed by the legislature but the superintendence rules ...