Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    7

    Default Can I Photograph Court Records Instead of Paying for Copies

    My question involves court procedures for the state of: Michigan

    There is a court's records office. They will allow me for free to view a case file. They will allow me to bring a cell phone or a laptop. They would allow me to take notes on the laptop, even transcribing the entire thing word for word. But, they will not allow me to use my cell phone (without a flash or any noise) to take pictures of the public documents.

    They say if I want copies, I have to pay them $1/page. I need a lot of copies. Like, hundreds of pages.

    The records office's supervisor said my only avenue for asking for an "exception" was to file a motion with the judge who heard the case for permission to take photos using my cell phone. I'm going to do that.

    But, I'm wondering if my request can be stronger, asserting that the office doesn't have the right to restrict my usage of my cell phone because: (a) I'm allowed to have a cell phone or other electronic devices in this part of the court building; (b) I wouldn't use a flash; and (c) I can turn the "shutter" clicking noise off on my phone when it takes pictures.

    The Michigan FOIA law says "a person has the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of the requested public record". They can "make reasonable rules necessary to protect its public records", which would prevent me from taking the records to a copy shop that would charge a fraction of the $1/page. But, I'd be making the "copies" using my own equipment in their office.

    Granted, you don't typically fill out a FOIA request when viewing public court records, but I'm wondering if it has applicability here.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Court Records Office Wants $1/Pg; Allows Cell Phone, Bans Pictures of Public Reco

    Sorry, but unless you can get the judge to order that you be allowed to use your cell phone to make copies, you aren't going to win this.

    And I seriously doubt that the judge will allow it either.

    The court wants the money. That's all there is to it.

    By the way, why do you want to copy hundreds of pages out of the case file?

    If you are a participant, you should already have copies of everything.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    7

    Default Re: Court Records Office Wants $1/Pg; Allows Cell Phone, Bans Pictures of Public Reco

    Appreciate your candor.

    Not a participant. In a parallel case. This case is a landmark case somewhat recently decided by Michigan Supreme Court. Acting in pro per in my case. Would greatly benefit from being able to refer to the case file, which is quite extensive, including depositions. I of course have access to the Michigan Supreme Court's decision, but would love to have access to the path they took to get there, since the decision in itself doesn't win the case for me. Perhaps I don't wind up getting this, or have to extensively take notes instead.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Court Records Office Wants $1/Pg; Allows Cell Phone, Bans Pictures of Public Reco

    Ask if you can bring in a portable scanner.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Court Records Office Wants $1/Pg; Allows Cell Phone, Bans Pictures of Public Reco

    And it may not be the COURTs money - but rather the court REPORTER's money when copies of an official transcript are sought. See Michigan statutes, under chapter 600.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Legal Research: How to Access Copies of Appeals Court Briefs
    By Starr12 in forum Legal Practice
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-06-2013, 02:05 PM
  2. Disability Benefits: How to Get Copies of Old Medical and Worker's Compensation Records
    By BernM in forum Social Security Law
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-01-2013, 02:44 PM
  3. Juvenile Court: How to Get Copies of Juvenile and Foster Care Records
    By aqa in forum Juvenile Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-16-2011, 10:40 AM
  4. Public Records: How To Get Copies of Traffic Records
    By xederl in forum Government Agencies
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-17-2008, 07:32 PM
  5. Criminal Records: How Long Do Courts Keep Hard Copies of Court Files
    By r1ta in forum Criminal Records
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-14-2007, 03:13 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources