Summary of Policy

The new JISC Data Dissemination Policy (Policy) became effective June 18, 1995 and was amended on June 21, 1996, September 20, 1996, June 6, 1997, December 5, 1997, and February 27, 1998. It is simple and straightforward. Application of this Policy is subject to time and resources available at the court to develop the requested reports and the reliability of the data.

The Policy allows release of:

• case-by-case access to any electronic record that is a reflection of the legal file, including copy case printouts or download.

• INDEX data (filing date, case caption, party name and relationship to the case, cause of action or charge, law enforcement agency, case number, case outcome, and case disposition date).

• index reports that include and are sorted on resolution code and do not contain individual names.

• information sorted by judge and/or attorney when in their official court capacity, including pro se's, when representing themselves.

• specified exceptions for personal data with waivers, regulatory/law enforcement requestors, routine reports, and statistics.

• routine reports and management reports.

• unlimited information to law enforcement or regulatory agencies.

• addresses of litigants.

The Policy prohibits:

• the electronic release or display-to-the-public of contact information (addresses and telephone numbers) related to witnesses and jurors, telephone numbers of litigants, and any personal identity numbers (Social Security, bank cards, etc.).

• except to the extent to which index data is permitted to be released, the release of compiled information about persons across courts, case types, and databases including releasing the defendant case history screen to the public.

• searching and reporting on non index criteria.

• release of confidential case type or sealed file information.

• release of contact lists.

• release of information the court judges unreliable or invalid (reason to be stated).