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Opinion

Opinion By: Gregory D. Stumbo, Attorney General; Michelle D. Harrison, Assistant Attorney General

Open Records Decision

At issue in this appeal is whether the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk violated the Kentucky Open Records Act in failing to respond upon receipt of Vincent Scott's request to inspect the "Arrest Report and Incident Report of Tina Carter or Tammy Carter." Because records in the custody of circuit court clerks are court records to which the Open Records Act does not apply, the Attorney General has long recognized that circuit court clerks are not subject to the provisions of the Open Records Act. Accordingly, the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk did not violate the Act in failing to respond upon receipt of Mr. Scott's request. In our view, 98-ORD-6, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference, is controlling on the facts presented.

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.

Vincent ScottHopkins County Jail2250 Laffoon TrailMadisonville, KY 42431

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

LLM Summary
The decision concludes that the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk did not violate the Kentucky Open Records Act by failing to respond to a request for inspection of certain arrest and incident reports, as these records are court records and thus not subject to the Act. The decision follows precedent established in 98-ORD-006, which is cited as controlling on the facts presented.
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Requested By:
Vincent Scott
Agency:
Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk
Type:
Open Records Decision
Lexis Citation:
2006 Ky. AG LEXIS 306
Cites:
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