Yes, court cases in Kansas are generally considered public records, with few exceptions. The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) grants the public the right to access most records maintained by government agencies, including court records. These records are typically available for inspection and copying by members of the public upon request, subject to certain limitations and exemptions outlined in the law.
Court records that are commonly considered public records in Kansas include…
- Case filings and documents – This includes complaints, indictments, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, and other documents filed with the court.
- Docket entries – These are records of all proceedings and actions taken in a case, including hearings, trials, and other events.
- Court transcripts – Transcripts of court proceedings, such as hearings and trials, are generally available to the public upon request.
- Case schedules and calendars – Information about upcoming court hearings and proceedings is typically considered public record.
Certain types of court records may be subject to restrictions or confidentiality requirements, particularly those involving sensitive or confidential information, such as juvenile proceedings, adoptions, mental health records, and certain family law matters. Courts may redact or withhold certain information from public records to protect individuals’ privacy or comply with legal requirements.
While court cases in Kansas are generally public records, be aware of any applicable restrictions or limitations on access to specific types of records. Interested individuals can typically obtain court records by contacting the clerk of the court where the case was filed or through online databases provided by the court system.
