|
Published by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Purchase a print or electronic copy • Jump to front page |
|
Open Records V. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING RECORDS D. Court action. 4. Issues the court will address: The court reviews the matter de novo, D.C. Code § 2-537(b), and should provide a decision that is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate that such review has occurred. The decision should articulate the precise relationship between each claim for exemption and the contents of the specific documents held to be exempt. Washington Post Co. v. Minority Bus. Opportunity Comm'n, 560 A.2d at 523. In addition, the court is permitted to examine any withheld documents in camera to determine whether they should be exempt. D.C. Code Ann. § 2-537(b). However, requests for in camera inspection must be relatively focused. When a party has simply requested a mass of documents, many of which are clearly exempt from release, the court has no obligation to review the documents to determine whether they contain some parts that may be disclosed. Hines v. Board of Parole, 567 A.2d at 913. Submit a comment Have a tip or suggestion for other readers regarding this section? Please pass it on by filling out the form below. Entries may be shortened, edited, or even deleted if we feel they are not helpful to journalists or media attorneys using open records laws. |
|
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is pleased to make this comprehensive guide available to you at no cost. We hope you will find it useful and consider buying a copy (or just contributing directly) to help underwrite our efforts and enable us to keep producing publications that help journalists overcome the daily legal hurdles they encounter. © 2006, 2001, 1997, 1993, 1989 The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22209. Phone: (703) 807-2100 • (Contact us.) See copyright page for reprint information for classroom or nonprofit use. |