Court Opinion

ID: 9539877
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:11:19.350848+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:26.651553
License: Public Domain

MR. JUSTICE McDONOUGH,
specially concurring:
I concur with the majority opinion. However, inasmuch as most hearings are closed at the request of both parties, or without objection by the non-requesting party, some accountability for such a grave discretionary step is warranted in the interest of participatory government. I favor the adoption of a rule which in essence would require the District Court Clerk to file an annual public report with this Court, stating at a minimum: (1) the number of discretionary closings, (2) the type of each case, and (3) the judge presiding. A copy of this report would be available to the public in each clerk’s office.