Opinion ID: 792413
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Constitutionality of Secret Docketing Procedures in Ochoa-Vasquez

Text: 50 In Valenti, 987 F.2d at 715, this Circuit held that a dual-docketing system, or sealed docket, in the Middle District of Florida violated the press and public's First Amendment right of access to criminal proceedings, and declared it facially unconstitutional. In striking down that system, we recognized that public docket sheets are essential to provide meaningful access to criminal proceedings. 15 Id. Thus, we held that the press and public's qualified First Amendment right to access criminal proceedings extends to the proceedings' docket sheets. Id.; accord Hartford Courant Co., 380 F.3d at 91 (concerning the secret docketing procedures in Connecticut state courts). 51 Because the district court's orders unsealing dockets here brought them in compliance with Valenti, the secret-docketing issue is not properly before us. We nevertheless exercise our supervisorial authority to remind the district court that it cannot employ the secret docketing procedures that we explicitly found unconstitutional in Valenti. 52