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CMLawLibraryBlog

The CM Law Library Blog seeks to inform the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law community about key legal education, research, practice, and law library news, with a particular focus on Cuyahoga County and Ohio as well as faculty research interests.

Supreme Court Filers Must Redact Social Security Numbers

Sue Altmeyer, Electronic Services Librarian, sue.altmeyer@law.csuohio.edu | October 23, 2007 - 11:33

The Ohio Supreme Court's amended Rules of Practice requires parties filing documents in the Ohio Supreme Court to redact social security and other personal identification numbers before filing. An unredacted copy can be filed under seal, if necessary. Rule VIII, Section 6. Thus, if private information is accessed via the Supreme Court docket and misused, it is the parties' responsibility. The rule aims to avoid identity theft via online court records, such as happened with the Hamilton County online court records. See Concurring Opinions blog, Mar. 8, 2006. For more information concerning access to court records and privacy issues, see courtaccess.org.

The amended Ohio Supreme Court Rules of Practice also state that documents filed with the court are public records, unless under seal or a motion to seal is pending. Rule XIV, Section 1(B). "This provision places the burden upon the filers to review their filings with an eye toward public dissemination and, if warranted, asking the Court to seal them." Supreme Court Adopts Amendments to Rules of Practice, Court News, Oct. 22, 2007.

The amendments also permit service by email. Rule X, Section 9; Rule XIV, Section 2(B)(1).

Thanks to Marie Rehmar for the tip.


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