In preparing for an upcoming trial, it is crucial to know the background of any expert witness you are going to cross-examine. Reviewing their previous work and past statements will provide insight into any biases they may possess, and give you the foresight necessary for a stronger case.
Read MoreCourt Restricts Access to Coroner Reports Involved in Criminal Investigations
Following a recent court ruling by the Sacramento Third District Court of Appeal, coroner reports related to criminal investigations are no longer released as public records.
Read MoreIntegrating Expert Knowledge and Public Records for Fact Verification
Despite the ready availability of public records that could help publishers perform simple fact checks on the manuscripts and personalities they handle, few do - making literary and media deception fairly simple to pull off.
Read MoreUsing Public Records to Research Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility is never easy. With more than 17,000 nursing home facilities and 33,000 assisted living facilities operating in the United States, picking the right facility could seem like an impossible task. However, public records can provide the information you need to make a well-informed decision.
Read MoreMadoff Scandal: A Good Example of How Records Become Public Indirectly
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.
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