Opinion
Opinion By: Gregory D. Stumbo,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 Fayette 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 Jim Lattner's request for a copy of records relating to the Commonwealth of Kentucky's criminal action against him. We believe that 98-ORD-6, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference, is controlling. Although 98-ORD-6 deals with records generated by and for the court in a criminal action, that decision firmly establishes that all court records, both civil and criminal, are not governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act. Disputes concerning access to court records must be presented to the court.
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.
Jim Lattner, # 159324Marion Adjustment CenterBed-E214B95 Raywick RoadSaint Mary, KY 40063
Wilma Fields LynchFayette Circuit Court Clerk103 Robert F. Stephens Courthouse120 N. Limestone StreetLexington, KY 40507