JIS Data Dissemination Committee

January 28, 2000

Friday January 28, 2000
Meeting Minutes

Attendees:

JIS Data Dissemination Subcommittee Members:
Judge C. Kenneth Grosse, Chair
Judge Michael Donohue
Judge Thomas Wynne
Judge James Heller
Judge Clifford Stilz

Guests:
Dennis Hausman, DIS
Rowland Thompson, Allied Daily Newspapers
Diana Kramer, Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
Mae Waldron, Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
David Cuillier, Everett Herald
Tom Boyer, Seattle Times
David Heath, Seattle Times

Staff: Brian Backus
Lynne Alfasso

Minutes

1. Minutes

   The minutes of the December 17, 1999 meeting were approved as written.

2. Report on January 14, 2000 Meeting With Media Representatives

   Brian Backus reported on the January 14, 2000 meeting the OAC held with media representatives to review the structure of the Judicial Information System and how it works. He noted the desirability of creating a data warehouse that would serve public access users' needs and that the planning has begun to include a proposal in the budget request for the 2001-2003 biennium. Media representatives stated their concern about the three year lead time and their desire for an interim solution. Judge Grosse noted the very limited resources the JIS has at this point. Judge Stilz asked if the media representatives agreed that the data warehouse is the best solution. They said they do.

   Mr. Backus reported that the OAC is looking at piggy-backing on some data extract programs written last year to create a complete index that would include limited jurisdiction court cases, disposition (case outcome), and disposition date. Based on the discussion in this meeting, the OAC will size adding date of birth for criminal defendants and see what, if any, other data elements may be readily available.

3. Data Dissemination Policy Review Follow Up

   The committee continued its discussion of the direction and process for revising the policy. Judge Grosse reported his presentation at the January 6, 2000 Supreme Court en banc. Much of the presentation is reflected in his article in the January 2000 issue of The Washington Newspaper. The steps in redeveloping the policy include:

   • See what data is gathered.
   • See what data is confidential or otherwise within the area of privacy.
   • Change the court rule (leaving the details for the policy).

   The Supreme Court is looking to the Data Dissemination Subcommittee for a recommendation that includes both paper and electronic records.

   Judge Grosse plans to report to the JISC at its February meeting on the plan for changing the policy including an outline of the modifications.

   Action Items:

   • Prepare a list of JIS data elements that can be used to identify which are public and which are not, and confirm that the data elements, which are collected, are necessary. (Brian Backus)
   • Set up a listserv, including the committee members and media representatives, for discussion of changes to the policy. (Brian Backus)
   • Make proposed revisions in current policy necessary to permit the dissemination of a compiled report on an individual. (Lynne Alfasso)

   The Subcommittee's next meeting is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on March 31, 2000 in Room 1606 Two Union Square.