NEW RULES ADOPTED FOR SEALING CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

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By: Staff Reports Trial Judges Have To Explain Reasons





California trial judges who want to seal records now have to explain their decision in writing according to a new rule adopted last week, The Associated Press reports.



The California Judicial Council approved the rule, basing it on a California Supreme Court decision made last year. Judges' reasons for sealing records must be in accordance with guidelines spelled out by the state's Supreme Court.


Open-records advocates said the rule would stop judges from "casually" sealing records at the request of attorneys.


Judges now must conduct a hearing and state the reasons for sealing a document.






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