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2014 Op. Okla. Att'y Gen. 1 (2014)

handle is hein.sag/sagok0034 and id is 1 raw text is: OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL STATE OF OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION 2014-1 The Honorable Scott C. Martin State Representative, District 46 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 432D Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105 January 13, 2014 Dear Representative Martin: This office has received your request for an official Attorney General Opinion in which you ask, in effect, the following question: Are audio recordings of state district court proceedings subject to disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, 51 O.S.2011 & Supp.2013, §§ 24A.1 - 24A.29? We have learned through research and conversations that the specific records about which you inquire are tape recordings of district court proceedings that have been filed with a district court clerk. We, therefore, analyze your request in that context, and conclude that sound recordings of court proceedings filed with or kept in the custody of a district court clerk are open records unless they are properly sealed by court order or specifically exempted from disclosure by law. I. THE OPEN REcoRDs ACT The Oklahoma Open Records Act (Act) makes unequivocal the policy of the State of Oklahoma to make most records of public bodies open for public inspection or copying. The Act specifically provides as follows: [I]t is the public policy of the State of Oklahoma that the people are vested with the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their 313 N.E. 21ST STREET - OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105 - (405) 521-3921 - FAX: (405) 521-6246 recycled paper