The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts’ Public Access Ad Hoc Committee (“Committee”) will conduct a public hearing on March 2, 2006 regarding the proposed public access policy concerning electronic case records of the Unified Judicial System (“proposed policy”).  Chief Justice Emeritus Stephen A. Zappala will preside. 

On September 17^th, 2005, the proposed policy was published for a 60-day public comment period (See 35 Pa.B. 5097 or http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol35/35-38/1709.html).  In light of the comments received, the Committee is especially interested in receiving the views of individuals and organizations with regard to the following issues:

1.                  Whether electronic case record information concerning pre-convictions should be available to the public?

2.                  Whether providing electronic case record information that contains a party’s full date of birth will sufficiently ensure that the “right” party is matched with the “right” case?

3.                  What specific amendments should be made to Section 6.00 (Correcting Data Errors) to delineate the procedure that an individual must follow to correct an error in an electronic case record? 

The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. on March 2, 2006, at the Commonwealth Court courtroom #1, Irvis Office Building, 5^th Floor, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

All those interested in testifying shall register by February 22, 2006 that he/she would like to participate by e-mail at publicaccesscomments@pacourts.us or by contacting Cynthia Screen at 215-560-6300, ext. 6236.  Prior to the hearing, you will receive a time for your testimony.  Comments should be limited to 10 minutes, but the Committee welcomes written submissions.  If you are unable to attend the hearing but are interested in providing your views you may do so by e-mail or by mailing your comments no later than February 27, 2006 to:

David S. Price, Esq.
Chair, Public Access Ad Hoc Committee
Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
5035 Ritter Road, Suite 700
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
publicaccesscomments@pacourts.us

Zygmont A. Pines
Cour Administrator of Pennsylvania