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Opinion

Opinion By: Gregory D. Stumbo, Attorney General; Amye L. Bensenhaver, 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 Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk is not bound by the provisions of the Kentucky Open Records Act, and therefore did not violate the Act in the disposition of Michael Hickman's request for a copy of "case histories of any and all indictments, information, or complaints appearing of record against [Mr. Hickman] from 1990-1995." We believe that 98-ORD-6, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference, is controlling. In correspondence directed to this office following commencement of Mr. Hickman's appeal, Glenn Weissrock, Supervisor of the Circuit Criminal Division, notified this office that although he had no record of Mr. Hickman's request, upon receipt of notification of the appeal, he contacted local archives, where the records were housed, to facilitate release of the records. In so doing, the clerk's office went above and beyond its duty. We find no error in that office's conduct.

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.

Michael Hickman, # 175922Kentucky State Reformatory3001 West Hwy. 146LaGrange, KY 40032

Tony MillerJefferson Circuit Court Clerk2nd Floor, Hall of Justice600 W. Jefferson StreetLouisville, KY 40202

Glenn Weissrock, SupervisorCircuit Criminal DivisionJefferson County Circuit Court Clerk's OfficeRoom 331700 W. Jefferson StreetLouisville, KY 40202

LLM Summary
The Attorney General's decision concludes that the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk is not subject to the Kentucky Open Records Act regarding Michael Hickman's request for case histories from 1990-1995. The decision follows the precedent set in 98-ORD-006, affirming that the clerk's office did not violate the Act. Additionally, it notes that the clerk's office exceeded its obligations by facilitating the release of the records through local archives.
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Requested By:
Michael Hickman
Agency:
Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk
Type:
Open Records Decision
Lexis Citation:
2005 Ky. AG LEXIS 236
Cites:
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