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Wyoming district judge allows greater access to sex crimes records
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September 28, 2012
Cheyenne, Wyoming: Judge Keith G. Kautz, of the 8th District Court of Wyoming, ruled earlier this month that circuit court hearings and records involving sex crimes do not have to be closed to the public. The ruling was the result of a lawsuit by several Wyoming newspapers, the Wyoming Press Association and The Associated Press, who sought access to court information involving Robert J. Parks. Parks has been accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing a girl and is awaiting a Nov. 8 trial.
Kautz pointed out that state law prohibits the courts from sharing the names of the defendant and the victim in sex crime cases. However, he explained, "It certainly seems possible that the circuit court could have complied with these requirements without sealing the file or closing hearings."[1] The ruling will not apply to the entire circuit, but may influence how other judges handle such cases.
Attorney Bruce Moats, who represented the media, stated, "The sexual assault cases are serious, they require the media to give them special handling. But by the same token, because they're serious cases, it's very important for the public to have information about these crimes and the prosecution of the crime."[1]
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