New Developments Regarding Public Access to Court Records

The Wyoming Supreme Court announced two developments today that will result in greater public access to court records.  The Information Technology staff of the Court has worked with the circuit clerks and those district court clerks who have FULLCOURT, a uniform docket management system, to create regular reports that can be provided to the public and the news media about new filings, dispositions, judgments and satisfaction of judgments.  In addition, the Court has completed its efforts over the last few months to provide public computer terminals in all 29 circuit courts, which allow the public access to circuit court information statewide.  Chief Justice Marilyn Kite commended the Court’s IT staff and the clerks of court for all of their work to accomplish these improvements to public access.

Chief Justice Kite also explained that the Court amended its Order Adopting Rules Governing Access to Court Records to allow access to compiled information on those same types of records directly from the clerks of district court in those districts that do not yet have a uniform docket management system.    She noted that “A new uniform district court case management system is in the design phase and is scheduled to be rolled out in 2012 and that system will provide access to the above described compiled information in all district courts, once it is in place,” Kite stated. “As a branch of government, we are working hard to provide access to court information without compromising the privacy rights of the very citizens who use our court system or imposing the burden on the clerks of court to compile information at the request of multiple members of the public.”

The Order Amending Rules Governing Access to Court Records can be found on the Wyoming Supreme Court’s website at:

http://www.courts.state.wy.us/CourtRules/CourtRulesOrders.aspx .

Chief Justice Kite Moderates Diversity Panel

 

Chief Justice Marilyn S. Kite moderated a Leadership and Diversity Panel this week in Jackson.  The 2011 Women’s Legal Forum, hosted at the Grand View Lodge, kicked off its two day conference with a panel discussion on diversity and leadership throughout the Wyoming bench and bar.  The discussion centered around the need and value of open discussion, the unique qualities of leadership, and the importance of diverse perspectives.  The panel was made up of a variety of women lawyers in Wyoming: Nancy D. Freudenthal, U.S. District Court Judge; Nancy Guthrie, Former Wyoming District Court Judge; Mary Throne, Wyoming House of Representatives; Cathy Connolly, Wyoming House of Representatives; Cathy MacPherson, Past President, Wyoming State Bar; and Gay Woodhouse, Past President, Wyoming State Bar and Former Wyoming Attorney General.  Ruth McGregor, Former Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, also participated and provided the Arizona perspective.

Welcome to "From the Wyoming Bench" Blog

Welcome to From the Wyoming Bench at http://wysupremecourt.blogspot.com/.  Our democratic form of government rests upon the rule of law.  Of the three separate and independent branches of government, the judicial branch is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of the laws that protect the rights of all citizens.  Our courts must be accessible to Wyoming citizens and responsible to their needs. With this in mind, From the Bench has been created to inform the public about new developments in the operation of the judicial branch.  Too often, the average citizen views the judicial branch as mysterious and unavailable to the public.  Through this blog, we intend to provide all who are interested with information about our operation, changes to rules, efforts to improve access to justice, and the challenges we face.  We are hopeful this effort will lead to a citizenry that is knowledgeable about our branch of government and its  importance to our democratic way of life.

-Chief Justice Marilyn S. Kite

Wyoming State Law Library celebrates National Library Week

Each April, libraries across the country observe national library week.  It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.  The Wyoming State Law Library will celebrate on Tuesday, April 12, 9:30 a.m.  Please join us for a reception and tours.

Established in 1869, the Wyoming State Law Library was originally housed in the Wyoming State Capitol.  The State Supreme Court and Library Building was the concept of a few men who met in the office of the Governor early in 1935.  It was agreed that additional space was absolutely essential for the orderly functioning of State offices and departments.  The State Supreme Court and Library Building was completed and occupied in 1937.  A complete renovation of the building took place from 2006 to 2008. 

Today, the Wyoming State Law Library serves as the source of legal information for the Wyoming Judicial System, with particular emphasis on insuring the supply of current and relevant materials to the Wyoming Supreme Court.  It also serves as a research library for all state government.  People throughout the state can obtain legal materials through interlibrary loan.  In addition to the library’s print collection and online legal resources found at the Supreme Court website, the law library has computers available for public use.  WestLaw, Shepard’s Citation Service, and HeinOnline are accessible in the library through these computers.  The law library, in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Court Network, has made available an online free searchable database of Wyoming case law.  Summaries of recently decided Supreme Court decisions are available through the library’s blog, the Law Library Letter. 

Please call or write to let us know how we can serve you.