Opinion ID: 2549606
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Protective Order Must be Modified Because it Unduly Hinders both ARC and Attorney E's Ability to Further Their Respective Cases

Text: Having addressed the First Amendment issue, we turn to the practical effects of the protective order on the underlying investigation of Attorney E. ARC argues that if the protective order is allowed to stand, it will not be able to use any of the statements made in the FBI documents, or the documents themselves, to question witnesses, or otherwise as a basis for further investigation without further order from the PDJ. Attorney E argues that the protective order precludes him from interviewing or investigating sources of potentially exculpatory evidence without running the risk of being held in contempt for violating the order. We agree with both ARC and Attorney E. Both parties to these investigative proceedingsARC and Attorney Emust be able to use the documents in a limited way to prosecute and defend their respective cases even though there exists good cause to protect the pertinent privacy interests. [19] Otherwise, subpoenaed information about the FBI's investigation, clearly relevant to the inquiry into Attorney E's accusations, has no purpose. Consequently, ARC's investigation of Attorney E is unduly hampered because even if it can subpoena certain information, it cannot use it. C.R.C.P. 251.10(b)(2). Attorney E, on the other hand, cannot effectively defend his case and participate fully in the investigation, as is his responsibility under the rules. C.R.C.P. 251.5(d). Given the implications of a protective order that prevents both parties from making any use of relevant documents, we conclude that the PDJ must modify the protective order to allow the limited use of the FBI documents by both parties. [20] However, considering the privacy interests of the two judges named in the documents and consistent with the PDJ's oral comments, the parties should not disclose the existence of the documents themselves or inform witnesses that the information comes from FBI documents. To the extent that either party finds it necessary and essential to their respective cases to disclose to witnesses that certain information comes from the confidential documents, they may apply to the PDJ for a modification of the protective order to permit such disclosure. Whether such disclosure is necessary depends upon specific facts presented to the PDJ. By allowing limited use of the documents as needed by the circumstances of this case, the protective order appropriately will balance the privacy interests of third parties named in the documents with the investigative purposes of our attorney regulation system.