Client lists, client contact information and how much a person owes their creditors are typically held privately. The bankruptcy case related to Bernard Madoff's firm, however, provides a good example of how once private records become public in bankruptcy proceedings.
Read MoreCalifornia Hospital Mortality Rates Publicly Available Online
The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) recently released mortality rates for eight different procedures treated by 400 hospitals throughout California. Compiled for public review for the first time, prospective patients can review the death rates when picking a hospital for treatment.
Read MoreFlight Plans
Flight plans are among the lesser-known public records. Often confused with flight manifests, these seemingly random assortments of numbers and letters contain extensive information that could be useful in litigation or in verifying an individual's claimed whereabouts.
Read MoreJustice Scalia on Using Public Records to Prepare for a Court Case
In their recent book, Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and attorney Bryan A. Garner advise that in preparing for a trial, conducting public records research on its participants can be invaluable to winning the case.
Read MorePresidential Records and the National Archives
A recent New York Times article describes the formidable process of transferring the Bush Administration's records over to the National Archives, and the unprecedented difficulty presented by how much of these records are now electronic. Owing largely to e-mail, "the electronic record of the Bush years about 50 times as large as that left by the Clinton White House in 2001, archives officials estimate." The Times provides some interesting insights into the logistics involved, concerns about the completeness of White House provided records, and the implications for future researchers. Read the full article here.
President Obama Orders Increased Disclosure Under the Freedom of Information Act
On his first full day in office, President Barack Obama ordered an increase in government transparency by expanding the interpretation of the Freedom of Information Act. To obtain many types of public records, a written request must be submitted to the controlling agency. However, rules for granting or restricting access to the requested record will now resemble those in place before the Bush administration.
Read MoreChoosing a Realtor
Buying a house is a daunting project, so choosing a qualified realtor is an important step in the process. With the housing market declining, realtors may be more likely to take advantage of naïve house-hunters. Word of mouth is a good way to begin the process of finding a reliable realtor, but following up with public records and online information is necessary.
Read MoreAircraft Registration and Flight Tracking
The web site FlightAware releases information about aircraft whereabouts or registration status, eliminating the need for lengthy freedom of information requests through the Federal Aviation Administration.
Read MoreResearching Foreign Lobbying Activity
In an increasingly interconnected world, there is a premium on understanding how foreign governments and businesses work to influence U.S. policy and public opinion. Read here to learn about which public records can be used to learn about foreign lobbying.
Read MoreChoosing a Neighborhood
Buying a house is a big decision financially and thus many different variables must be taken into consideration to ensure a wise choice. Fortunately, many resources for looking into your prospective neighborhood are readily available online and in public records.
Read MoreObtaining Your Travel Record Through FOIA
Budget Travel blogger Sam O’Neil recently demonstrated how you can obtain your own foreign travel record with a simple FOIA request.
Read MoreThe Role of Public Records in the Political Nomination and Confirmation Process
In the coming weeks and months, individuals will be nominated by the Obama White House to serve in various federal agencies and judicial positions. Here we provide an overview of the federal nomination and confirmation process and the role that public records play in the success or failure of nominees.
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