Transparency

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State Statute Description/Statute Name Statutory language Type of obligation Actor
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Alabama Ala.Code 1975 § 12-1-19 Courts: Reports

The clerks of the circuit courts and the clerks of the district and municipal courts in this state shall each prepare a monthly report on a form to be approved

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by the Chief Examiner of Public Accounts showing by totals the amount of fines, trial tax, district attorney fees and other fees that accrue to benefit of the state, county or municipality that were collected the preceding month. The report forms shall be prepared in triplicate. The original copy shall be furnished the State Comptroller, the duplicate copy shall be furnished the county commission, and the triplicate copy shall be retained in the office of the clerk.

Obligation to collect or record All courts
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Alabama Ala.Code 1975 § 12-19-180(c) Criminal history processing fees; use

All data collected and maintained in the State Judicial Information System from the automated management systems operated by the Administrative Office of Courts and all manuals, forms, brochures, and publications

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developed by the Administrative Office of Courts shall be used to assist with the administrative and management needs of court officials and employees within the Unified Judicial System. The authority for control and dissemination of data from the system or distribution of judicial forms, manuals, and publications to any individuals, corporations, partnerships, or governmental associations outside the Unified Judicial System is vested in the Administrative Director of Courts.

Obligation to report/conduct analysis State courts
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Alabama Ala.Code 1975 § 12-19-180(f) Criminal history processing fees; use

(f) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent, prohibit, or otherwise limit or restrict public access to individual court records from the official custodians thereof, if the

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records are otherwise subject to public disclosure by law or court rule, nor shall anything in this section be construed to allow access to any court records which are not otherwise subject to public disclosure by law or court rule.

Obligation to respond to public records requests State courts
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California Cal. Rules of Court 4.320 Records of criminal convictions
In addition to the information that the Department of Justice requires from courts under Penal Code section 13151, each trial court must also report, electronically or manually, the following information,
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in the form and manner specified by the Department of Justice:(1) Whether the defendant was represented by counsel or waived the right to counsel; and(2) In the case of a guilty or nolo contendere plea, whether:(A) The defendant was advised of and understood the charges;(B) The defendant was advised of, understood, and waived the right to a jury trial, the right to confront witnesses, and the privilege against self-incrimination; and(C) The court found the plea was voluntary and intelligently made. For purposes of this rule, a change of plea form signed by the defendant, defense counsel if the defendant was represented by counsel, and the judge, and filed with the court is a sufficient basis for the clerk or deputy clerk to report that the requirements of (2) have been met.
Obligation to collect or record All courts
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California Cal. Rules of Court 4.541 Minimum requirements of supervision agency reports
Except as provided in (d), a petition for revocation of supervision must include a written report that contains at least the following information:(1) Information about the supervised person, including:(A) Personal
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identifying information, including name and date of birth;(B) Custody status and the date and circumstances of arrest;(C) Any pending cases and case numbers;(D) The history and background of the supervised person, including a summary of the supervised person's record of prior criminal conduct; and(E) Any available information requested by the court regarding the supervised person's risk of recidivism, including any validated risk-needs assessments;(2) All relevant terms and conditions of supervision and the circumstances of the alleged violations, including a summary of any statement made by the supervised person, and any victim information, including statements and type and amount of loss;(3) A summary of any previous violations and sanctions; and(4) Any recommended sanctions
Obligation to report/conduct analysis Supervision agency
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California Cal. Pen. Code § 1463.010 Proceedings in Misdemeanor and Infraction Cases: Enforcement of court orders; Guidelines for collection program; Annual report; Business license suspension program; Amnesty

The uniform imposition and enforcement of court-ordered debts are recognized as an important element of California’s judicial system. Prompt, efficient, and effective imposition and collection of court-ordered fees, fines, forfeitures,

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penalties, restitution, and assessments ensure the appropriate respect for court orders. The California State Association of Counties and the Administrative Office of the Courts are jointly committed to identifying, improving, and seeking to expand access to mechanisms and tools that will enhance efforts to collect court-ordered debt. To provide for this prompt, efficient, and effective collection:(a) The Judicial Council shall adopt guidelines for a comprehensive program concerning the collection of moneys owed for fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments imposed by court order. As part of its guidelines, the Judicial Council may establish standard agreements for entities to provide collection services. As part of its guidelines, the Judicial Council shall include provisions that promote competition by and between entities in providing collection services to courts and counties. The Judicial Council may delegate to the Administrative Director of the Courts the implementation of the aspects of this program to be carried out at the state level. (b) The courts and counties shall maintain the collection program that was in place on January 1, 1996, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the court and county. The program may wholly or partially be staffed and operated within the court itself, may be wholly or partially staffed and operated by the county, or may be wholly or partially contracted with a third party. In carrying out this collection program, each superior court and county shall develop a cooperative plan to implement the Judicial Council guidelines. In the event that a court and a county are unwilling or unable to enter into a cooperative plan pursuant to this section, prior to the arbitration procedures required by subdivision (e) of Section 1214.1, the court or the county may request the continuation of negotiations with mediation assistance as mutually agreed upon and provided by the Administrative Director of the Courts and the California State Association of Counties. (c) The Judicial Council shall develop performance measures and benchmarks to review the effectiveness of the cooperative superior court and county collection programs operating pursuant to this section. Each superior court and county shall jointly report to the Judicial Council, as provided by the Judicial Council, information requested in a reporting template on or before September 1, 2009, and annually thereafter. The Judicial Council shall report to the Legislature on December 31, 2009, and annually thereafter, on all of the following: (1) The extent to which each court or county is following best practices for its collection program. (2) The performance of each collection program. (3) Any changes necessary to improve performance of collection programs statewide. (d) The Judicial Council may, when the efficiency and effectiveness of the collection process may be improved, facilitate a joint collection program between superior courts, between counties, or between superior courts and counties. (e) The Judicial Council may establish, by court rule, a program providing for the suspension and nonrenewal of a business and professional license if the holder of the license has unpaid fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments imposed upon them under a court order. The Judicial Council may provide that some or all of the superior courts or counties participate in the program. Any program established by the Judicial Council shall ensure that the licensee receives adequate and appropriate notice of the proposed suspension or nonrenewal of his or her license and has an opportunity to contest the suspension or nonrenewal. The opportunity to contest may not require a court hearing. (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Judicial Council, after consultation with the Franchise Tax Board with respect to collections under Section 19280 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, may provide for an amnesty program involving the collection of outstanding fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments, applicable either statewide or within one or more counties. The amnesty program shall provide that some or all of the interest or collections costs imposed on outstanding fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments may be waived if the remaining amounts due are paid within the amnesty period.

Obligation to collect or record State courts
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California Cal. Pen. Code § 1463.02 Proceedings in Misdemeanor and Infraction Cases: Establishment of task force; Task force responsibilities and duties; Chairperson; Membership; Report

(a) On or before June 30, 2011, the Judicial Council shall establish a task force to evaluate criminal and traffic-related court-ordered debts imposed against adult and juvenile offenders. The task

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force shall be comprised of the following members:(1) Two members appointed by the California State Association of Counties. (2) Two members appointed by the League of California Cities. (3) Two court executives, two judges, and two Administrative Office of the Courts employees appointed by the Judicial Council. (4) One member appointed by the Controller. (5) One member appointed by the Franchise Tax Board. (6) One member appointed by the California Victim Compensation Board. (7) One member appointed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (8) One member appointed by the Department of Finance. (9) One member appointed by each house of the Legislature. (10) A county public defender and a city attorney appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. (11) A defense attorney in private practice and a district attorney appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. (b) The Judicial Council shall designate a chairperson for the task force. The task force shall, among other duties, do all of the following: (1) Identify all criminal and traffic-related court-ordered fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and assessments imposed under law. (2) Identify the distribution of revenue derived from those debts and the expenditures made by those entities that benefit from the revenues. (3) Consult with state and local entities that would be affected by a simplification and consolidation of criminal and traffic-related court-ordered debts. (4) Evaluate and make recommendations to the Judicial Council and the Legislature for consolidating and simplifying the imposition of criminal and traffic-related court-ordered debts and the distribution of the revenue derived from those debts with the goal of improving the process for those entities that benefit from the revenues, and recommendations, if any, for adjustment to the court-ordered debts. (c) The task force also shall document recent annual revenues from the various penalty assessments and surcharges and, to the extent feasible, evaluate the extent to which the amount of each penalty assessment and surcharge impacts total annual revenues, imposition of criminal sentences, and the actual amounts assessed. (d) The task force also shall evaluate and make recommendations to the Judicial Council and the Legislature on or before June 30, 2011, regarding the priority in which court-ordered debts should be satisfied and the use of comprehensive collection programs authorized pursuant to Section 1463.007, including associated cost-recovery practices.

Obligation to collect or record Other
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California Cal. Gov. Code § 6253(a)-(b) Inspection of Public Records: Time for inspection of public records; “Unusual circumstances”; Posting of public record on Web site

(a) Public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public

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record, except as hereafter provided. Any reasonably segregable portion of a record shall be available for inspection by any person requesting the record after deletion of the portions that are exempted by law.(b) Except with respect to public records exempt from disclosure by express provisions of law, each state or local agency, upon a request for a copy of records that reasonably describes an identifiable record or records, shall make the records promptly available to any person upon payment of fees covering direct costs of duplication, or a statutory fee if applicable. Upon request, an exact copy shall be provided unless impracticable to do so.

Obligation to respond to public records requests All
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California CA ST TR COURT Rule 2.503(c) Application and scope: Courthouse electronic access only

A court that maintains the following records in electronic form must provide electronic access to them at the courthouse, to the extent it is feasible to do so, but may

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provide remote electronic access only to the records governed by (b):(1) Records in a proceeding under the Family Code, including proceedings for dissolution, legal separation, and nullity of marriage; child and spousal support proceedings; child custody proceedings; and domestic violence prevention proceedings; . . . (5) Records in a criminal proceeding.

Obligation to collect or record All courts
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California CA ST TR COURT Rule 2.503(e) Application and scope: Remote access allowed in extraordinary criminal cases

Notwithstanding (c)(5), the presiding judge of the court, or a judge assigned by the presiding judge, may exercise discretion, subject to (e)(1), to permit electronic access by the public to

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all or a portion of the public court records in an individual criminal case if (1) the number of requests for access to documents in the case is extraordinarily high and (2) responding to those requests would significantly burden the operations of the court. An individualized determination must be made in each case in which such remote electronic access is provided.

Obligation to collect or record All courts
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Pennsylvania Pa. R. Crim. P. 140 Fine for murder or attempted murder
If the issuing authority finds contempt and imposes punishment, the issuing authority shall issue a written order of contempt setting forth: (a) the facts of the case that constitute the
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contempt; (b) the punishment imposed, and the date on which the contemnor is to pay any fine or to appear for the execution of any punishment of imprisonment; and (c) the information specified in paragraph (B)2.b(2). (4) The order of contempt shall be signed by the issuing authority, and a copy given to the contemnor. (5) Whether or not the issuing authority finds an individual in contempt for failure to comply with an order to pay restitution or to pay fines and costs, the issuing authority may alter or amend the order. If the issuing authority alters or amends the order, the issuing authority shall: (a) issue a written order setting forth the amendments and the reasons for the amendments, make the order a part of the transcript, and give a copy of the order to the defendant; and (b) advise the defendant that the defendant has 30 days within which to file a notice of appeal of the altered or amended order pursuant to Rule 141. c. The issuing authority shall not hold a contempt hearing in the absence of the alleged contemnor. If the alleged contemnor fails to appear for the contempt hearing, the issuing authority may continue the hearing and issue a bench warrant.
Obligation to collect or record All courts
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 9728 Collection - clerk obligation to record
The county clerk of courts shall, upon sentencing, pretrial disposition or other order, transmit to the prothonotary certified copies of all judgments for restitution, reparation, fees, costs, fines and penalties
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which, in the aggregate, exceed $1,000, and it shall be the duty of each prothonotary to enter and docket the same of record in his office and to index the same as judgments are indexed, without requiring the payment of costs as a condition precedent to the entry thereof.
Obligation to collect or record Clerk
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. Ann.§ 9728(b.1) Restitution file
Upon receipt of each order from the clerk of courts as provided in subsection (b)(3), the department of probation of the respective county or other agent designated by the county
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commissioners of the county with the approval of the president judge of the county shall open a restitution file for the purposes of recording the amounts of restitution deducted by the Department of Corrections or county correctional facility or collected by the department of probation or the agent designated by the county commissioners of the county with the approval of the president judge of the county
Obligation to collect or record Supervision agency
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Pennsylvania 65 Pa. Stat. Ann. §§67.701; 65 Pa. Stat. Ann. §§67.702; 65 Pa. Stat. Ann. §§67.703; 65 Pa. Stat. Ann. §§67.901 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Right to Know Law
Section 701. Access. (a) General rule. — Unless otherwise provided by law, a public record, legislative record or financial record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with this
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act. A record being provided to a requester shall be provided in the medium requested if it exists in that medium; otherwise, it shall be provided in the medium in which it exists. Public records, legislative records or financial records shall be available for access during the regular business hours of an agency. (b) Construction. — Nothing in this act shall be construed to require access to any computer either of an agency or individual employee of an agency. Section 702. Requests. Agencies may fulfill verbal, written or anonymous verbal or written requests for access to records under this act. If the requester wishes to pursue the relief and remedies provided for in this act, the request for access to records must be a written request. Section 703. Written requests. A written request for access to records may be submitted in person, by mail, by e-mail, by facsimile or, to the extent provided by agency rules, any other electronic means. A written request must be addressed to the open-records officer designated pursuant to section 502. Employees of an agency shall be directed to forward requests for records to the open-records officer. A written request should identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the agency to ascertain which records are being requested and shall include the name and address to which the agency should address its response. A written request need not include any explanation of the requester’s reason for requesting or intended use of the records unless otherwise required by law. Chapter 9 Agency Response Section 901. General rule. Upon receipt of a written request for access to a record, an agency shall make a good faith effort to determine if the record requested is a public record, legislative record or financial record and whether the agency has possession, custody or control of the identified record, and to respond as promptly as possible under the circumstances existing at the time of the request. All applicable fees shall be paid in order to receive access to the record requested. The time for response shall not exceed five business days from the date the written request is received by the open-records officer for an agency. If the agency fails to send the response within five business days of receipt of the written request for access, the written request for access shall be deemed denied.
Obligation to respond to public records requests State/statewide agency
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Pennsylvania 42 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 9759 Record
General rule.--A record of the sentencing proceeding shall be made and preserved in such a manner that it can be transcribed as needed.(b) Contents.--The record shall include:(1) The record of
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any stipulation made at a presentence conference.(2) A copy of the presentence report and a copy of any other report or document available to the sentencing court as an aid in imposing sentence, subject to such limitations as the court may have imposed under section 9734(b) (relating to restrictions on disclosure).(3) A verbatim account of the entire sentencing proceeding.
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