Are court proceedings considered public information?

[astonamous]

I am trying to get information regarding a case in Henderson County, TN. The county DA is not the most cooperative person in the world. I just want the outcome of the case and who prosecuted it. I have all the info on the alleged criminals, but don't know if they were fined or even convicted.

Do I have to file a FOIA to get this info or should the DA's office just be able to get me the info?

Thanks for any help.

Trudy
www.pryorsplanet.com

[Heidi]

1. Can't you just call or go talk to the clerk of the court?

When I was a journalist, county attorneys didn't consider it their job to update the public at large on the outcome of criminal proceedings, and often didn't even return phone calls from the media. But the clerks of the county and district courts are generally helpful, in my experience. Good luck!

[astonamous]

2. I'm in Utah...

I have left messages, but no one is calling back. I just sent another email, but I will try calling again tomorrow. The clerk's office this time.

Trudy

[Heidi]

3. Is it in county or district court?

I hope you can get some results, Trudy. :hi:

[astonamous]

4. District...

Thank you again. I am sure with a little gentle prodding, I will get somewhere. I have also been in contact with the editor of the Jackson Sun which ran a story about the case last December. I am hoping he will be able to get some information too.

Trudy
www.pryorsplanet.com

P.S.

The case: http://network.bestfriends.org/westtnanimalcoalition/news/512.html

[Heidi]

5. Wow, that is a sad case.

Wouldn't you think it would have been resolved by now, since the charges were brought in December 2005?

[astonamous]

6. The folks that owned the horses have never been contacted

about the case. I am almost sure that the case is resolved. What is frightening is that the folks that owned the horses seem afraid of repercussions if they ask too many questions.

The Henderson County Humane Society has already been threatened and some of the animals they were housing have already been killed. Two were hung and one was shot in the middle of the night on their private property. The police haven't done anything to protect them.

The whole thing is sad.

Trudy
www.pryorsplanet.com

[philosophie_en_rose]

7. The DA's office could just give you the info.

But you should also be able to check the status of the case through the clerk's office.

Also - there may be online resources you could use. Not sure about Utah, but you can sometimes get court documents online through the PACER system. The cost is 8 cents per page.