The USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review takes a good look at the competing perspectives on the viability of online court records in this article by Rebecca Fairly Raney. The article highlights activities in California, and profiles the perspectives of organizations like the Electronic Privacy Information Center and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. It also points to efforts in Oklahoma to make all court dockets avialable online for free.

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The 2003 General Assembly of the State of Virginia has passed a bill [HB 2426] intended to regulate remote access to public land and court records through the Internet. Among the interesting details: court and county clerks can refuse to record an instrument containing a social security number; documents containing sensitive information cannot be posted; court clerks will be required to offer free subscription access; the subscription appllication process must include a sworn statement of the identity, home or business address, nationality, and purpose in applying for access.

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