Opinion ID: 1708780
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Rights of Access to Court Records

Text: The circuit judge correctly noted that [a] suppression order, as the term is commonly understood in the State of Michigan, contemplates only a direction to the court personnel to prevent public disclosure of the official files. Typically, a file ordered to be suppressed is sealed in an envelope with public access thereto prevented. In re Times Publishing Co, 276 Mich 349, 350; 267 NW 858 (1936). This procedure, at least in civil cases, has a long history in this state. See, e.g., Times Publishing Co, supra ; Burton v Reynolds, 110 Mich 354, 355-356; 68 NW 217 (1896); Schmedding v County Clerk of Wayne County, 85 Mich 1, 4-7; 48 NW 201 (1891); Park v The Detroit Free Press Co, 72 Mich 560, 568-569; 40 NW 731 (1888). The foregoing cases were premised on reasoning that pleadings in private actions were not public records and that the dispute did not become public until proceedings were held in open court. [11] Nevertheless, suppression orders are permissible in criminal actions. Although the files in criminal proceedings were apparently considered public records at common law and although there is a common-law right of access to public records, the Legislature can restrict that right. [12] Consequently, MCL 750.520k; MSA 28.788(11) is a valid restriction on that right. [13]