TESTIMONY Re: Proposed Amendments to RI Court Public Records Rules

Document Date: April 29, 2026

This testimony was sent during the public comment periods for the Rhode Island Supreme Court's proposed changes to the Court's rules, specifically regarding court document access as the Court transitions to a new electronic case system in the near future.

The letter raises multiple concerns in the proposed changes to the rules, including how the public and attorneys may have their access significantly limited; new undefined costs of accessing documents remotely; that law enforcement agencies would have automatic access to documents; and that the designation of "non-public" documents would be made by the party filing the documents without further review.

The 2025 testimony was submitted by the ACLU of Rhode Island and the R.I. Center for Justice.