Archive for Public Records News
The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently heard testimony both for and against a proposal that would grant an easier way to expunge court records. The people that are against the proposal believe that all public records about an individual should be available. A criminal records search, according to opponents of the proposal, should turn up all public criminal records for the individual being researched, regardless of whether a conviction occurred or not. They feel it is important for the public to be aware of the entire picture of a person, not just the pieces, especially when it comes to public figures. Read More→
After the worst attack on American soil, 911, things changed. It became apparent to those in power that this country needed more freedom to track potential threats. The ability to access sensitive cell phone records and track cell phone placement was one of the first things to be considered and then put into place. Many people have not been exactly ecstatic about this idea, citing privacy issues and abuse. However, there is something to be said for the general public having the ability to do these types of records searches. Read More→
Not everyone can afford to use a funeral home after the death of a loved one. Some people prefer to or can only afford to do a home funeral. However, this can make it a bit difficult for people to get the death certificates for their loved ones. The majority of death certificates are filed by the funeral director, so the process tends to be confusing and hard to follow for individuals. Although in many cases it is legal for these people to apply for the certificates, this process requires the Vital Records Department to check public records and put together all the necessary information, and there is a relatively large fee to get this done. Read More→
LD 1781 is a new bill restricting the access of public records in the state of Maine. At the present time anyone who requests these records has access, which can result in fraud and identity theft. Birth and marriage records, until recently, have been available for public inspection to anyone requesting a certified copy. Read More→
The Freedom of Information Act was signed into law on September 6, 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson. It then went into effect the following year. By doing this the American public was able to gain access to Federal government records. In 1996 an amendment to the Freedom of Information Act was expanded to include electronic records making them more easily to check public records. This was called the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996. In Executive Order 13392, brought to us in December of 2005, it became required that Federal Agencies make their Freedom of Information Act program centered toward the people. This information is provided through the Federal Communications Commission. Read More→
Access to public records is very important. Being able to know a person’s history is extremely important in order to know what kind of person he or she is. There are some things that you may want to know about your friends or neighbors. Their history may be full of things you never knew about, and it could be extremely helpful to know certain information. This holds true for politicians as well. We should all be able to check public records for anyone, and this includes people in our government. In fact, the people who we elect to represent us in government should definitely have their records made public. Read More→
There is a new bill that is being proposed in Maine. Currently, people are able to check public records from the past 100 years. The record would only be shown to the person on record, agent, or their attorney. Although this is the rule, it has not always been enforced. With the new bill, LD 1781, records would be available to the public after 100 years from the date of the death, marriage, or birth certificate. LD 1781 is listed as "An Act to Allow Electronic Filling of Vital Records and Closing of Vital Records to Guard against Fraud." Read More→
