Third-party records in sexual assault cases refer to documents that contain personal information about the victim or a witness, which are considered private and are not initially part of the case evidence. These can include medical, counseling, or therapy notes; hospital records; records from social services or child welfare agencies; employment or school records; and personal journals or online correspondence. The accused may seek access to these records if they believe the information could be relevant to their defense. Accessing these records requires a detailed legal process that involves a judge's review and strict criteria to determine their relevancy and admissibility in court. The process is designed to balance the defense's right to a fair trial with the privacy and dignity rights of victims and witnesses.