Opinion ID: 1945752
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Motion to Recall Writs or Defer Action

Text: Defendants moved that this court dismiss this application as moot because the trial court sustained exceptions and dismissed the case on February 14, 1985, or that we defer action on this application until the case on the merits has been appealed. The application is not, at present, moot. The judgment of the district court has been appealed suspensively. Cases involving access to judicial records and proceedings have been litigated after the conclusion of litigation on the merits. Globe Newspaper v. Superior Court, 457 U.S. 596, 102 S.Ct. 2613, 73 L.Ed.2d 248 (1982); Richmond Newspapers v. Virginia, 448 U.S. 555, 100 S.Ct. 2814, 65 L.Ed.2d 973 (1980); Publicker Industries v. Cohen, 733 F.2d 1059 (3d Cir. 1984); United States v. Cianfrani, 573 F.2d 835 (3d Cir.1978). Important First Amendment rights of the public and press are at stake in this application. These issues do not terminate with the conclusion of litigation on the merits. The judgment of the trial court is not final. The application raises matters of importance which might recur. Therefore this motion is denied.