A Missouri law that mandated the redaction of court records, including the names of witnesses and victims in lawsuits and criminal cases, has been partially invalidated by a judge in Jefferson City.
In a recent ruling, Moniteau County Associate Circuit Judge Aaron Martin declared that certain provisions of the 2023 law are in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as a section of the Missouri Constitution. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Friday that Judge Martin issued this order.
Critics argue that the 2023 measure has led to one of the most stringent redaction laws in the United States. This law has made it difficult for journalists, appellate lawyers, and other individuals to access basic information, such as the identities of individuals who have been killed in homicides.
According to Mark Sableman, an attorney representing the Missouri Broadcasters Association, the recent order by Judge Martin has reinstated the traditional practice of transparent and accessible court filings in Missouri. Sableman emphasized that this ruling brings back the longstanding norm of public access to court records, unless there is a legitimate and proven need for confidentiality.
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office did not immediately indicate whether they would appeal the decision.
The lawsuit was filed in May.
