New Court Rules Govern Access to Judicial Records

The Maryland Court of Appeals has adopted new Rules that govern access to judicial records.  The Rules, found in Title 16, Chapter 900 of the Maryland Rules, take effect on August 1, 2020.  They can be found at http://news.maryland.gov/mpiaombuds/courtrules080120/.

The new Rules cover all judicial records and break them down into five categories: notice records, administrative records, license records, case records, and special judicial unit records.  Rule 16-902(c). The new Rules establish the exclusive method to access judicial records. Rule 16-901. They also establish the exclusive method to resolve disputes over access. Rule 16-931.  That means neither the Public Access Ombudsman nor the PIA Compliance Board has any jurisdiction to resolve disputes involving judicial records.  Rule 16-931.