Judge Says Public Record Will Remain Sealed
From Sunshine Review
January 23, 2009
[edit] Judge Says Public Record Will Remain Sealed
"A judge says that while arrest affidavits are public record, they will remain closed in criminal cases in Jefferson and Lincoln counties out of concern for the defendant's right to a fair trial.
Circuit Judge Berlin Jones says he and the other state judges in the two counties voted to continue to routinely seal all probable-cause arrest affidavits for felony criminal cases.
The affidavits include evidence against a defendant used to secure arrest and detention. The judges in the two counties are the only ones in the state who routinely seal them, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Friday."
