Opinion
Opinion By: Albert B. Chandler III,Attorney General;James M. Ringo,Assistant Attorney General
Open Records Decision
This matter having been presented to the Attorney General in an open records appeal, and the Attorney General being sufficiently advised, we find that the Southeastern Court Reporting Service and Perkins & Perkins Court Reporters, as court reporters for the judicial system, are not bound by the provisions of the Kentucky Open Records Act, and therefore cannot be said to have violated the Act by their actions relative to Leslie Lawson's request for a copy of the transcript or tape of his sentencing hearing on August 8, 1988, Indictment # CR-87-CR-146. We believe that 98-ORD-6, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference, is controlling. Mr. Lawson must seek redress for his grievance relating to access to records of court proceedings through the judicial system.
Moreover, by letter dated October 11, 2001, Karen Bailey, Southeastern Court Reporting, advised this office that Southeastern Court Reporting Service did not exist as a business entity in 1988 and therefore rendered no services with regard to Mr. Lawson.
A party aggrieved by this decision may appeal it by initiating action in the appropriate circuit court pursuant to KRS 61.880(5) and KRS 61.882. Pursuant to KRS 61.880(3), the Attorney General should be notified of any action in circuit court, but should not be named as a party in that action or in any subsequent proceeding.
Leslie Lawson # 122950 D-5Northpoint Training CenterP.O. Box 479Burgin, KY 40310
Perkins & Perkins Court ReportersP.O. Box 478London, KY 40741
Southeastern Court Reporting ServicesP.O. Box 863London, KY 4073-0863