Opinion ID: 792413
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Denial of Access to Specific Documents in Ochoa-Vasquez

Text: 53 The orders sealing specific documents in Ochoa-Vasquez also violate First Amendment standards because no finding was made on the record to rebut the presumption of openness. A party may overcome that presumption if it can show an overriding interest based on findings that closure is essential to preserve higher values and is narrowly tailored to serve that interest. Press-Enterprise I, 464 U.S. at 510, 104 S.Ct. 819; Valenti, 987 F.2d at 713. When sealing proceedings or documents, a court must articulate the overriding interest along with findings specific enough that a reviewing court can determine whether the closure order was properly entered. 16 Press-Enterprise I, 464 U.S. at 510, 104 S.Ct. 819; Kooistra, 796 F.2d at 1391 & n. 1. The court must also provide members of the public and press who are present with notice and an opportunity to be heard on a proposed closure. Valenti, 987 F.2d at 713; United States v. Alcantara, 396 F.3d 189, 202-03 (2d Cir.2005) (conducting a proceeding in judge's robing room violated the public and press's First Amendment rights). 54 Neither the Ochoa-Vasquez district court's sealing orders nor its denials of access to court records articulated the reason for the closure or the evidence that supported the need for closure. Douglas, 714 F.2d at 1546 n. 16. Those orders denying access (D.E. 1193 & 1351), therefore, do not comply with our First Amendment jurisprudence, and we reverse and remand them for reconsideration in light of the established precedent. Nevertheless, the document sealing in this case does not warrant a new trial because Ochoa was eventually granted access to the majority of documents and he has not shown prejudice. See United States v. Edwards, 211 F.3d 1355, 1358 (11th Cir.2000) (defendant must show prejudice to receive new trial under Speedy Trial Act); United States v. Chastain, 198 F.3d 1338, 1348 (11th Cir.1999) (government's violation of discovery rules results in reversal only if the defendant establishes actual prejudice). Additionally, as noted earlier, Ochoa sought documents containing information about other defendants' participation in the Program even though it was unrelated to his criminal conduct and evidence concerning the Program was later barred from trial.