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MISSION STATEMENT
Openness leads to a better informed citizenry, which leads to better government and better public policy. Consistent with the premise that government at all levels exists first and foremost to serve the interests of the people, it is the mission and intent of the Clerk of Courts Office to at all times fully comply with and abide by both the spirit and the letter of Ohio’s Public Records Act.
DEFINING PUBLIC RECORDS
All records kept by The Clerk of Courts Office are public unless they are exempt from disclosure under Ohio law. All public records must be organized and maintained in such a way that they can be made available for inspection and copying.
A record is defined to include the following: A document in any format – paper, electronic (including, but not limited to, business e-mail) – that is created, received by, or comes under the jurisdiction of the Clerk of Courts Office that documents the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office.
RESPONSE TIMEFRAME
Public records are to be available for inspection during regular business hours, with the exception of published holidays. Public records must be made available for inspection promptly. Copies of public records must be made available within a reasonable period of time. “Prompt” and “reasonable” take into account the volume of records requested; the proximity of the location where the records are stored; and the necessity for any legal review and redaction of the records requested.
It is our goal that all requests for public records should be acknowledged in writing or, if possible, satisfied within 3-5 business days following the office’s receipt of the request.
HANDLING REQUESTS
No specific language is required to make a request for public records. However, the requester must at least identify the records requested with sufficient clarity to allow the office to identify, retrieve, and review the records. If it is not clear what records are being sought, the office must contact the requester for clarification, and should assist the requester in revising the request by informing the requester of the manner in which the office keeps its public records.
The requester does not have to put a records request in writing, and does not have to provide his or her identity or the intended use of the requested public record. It is this office’s general policy that this information is not to be requested. However, the law does permit the office to ask for a written request, the requestor’s identity, and/or the intended use of the information requested, but only (1) if a written request or disclosure of identity or intended use would benefit the requestor by enhancing the office’s ability to identify, locate, or deliver the public records that have been requested; and (2) after telling the requestor that a written request is not required and that the requester may decline to reveal the requestor’s identity or intended use.
In processing the request, the office does not have an obligation to create new records or perform new analysis of existing information. An electronic record is deemed to exist so long as a computer is already programmed to produce the record through simple sorting, filtering, or querying. Although not required by law, the office may accommodate the requestor by generating new records when it makes sense and is practical under the circumstances.
In processing a request for inspection of a public record, an office employee must accompany the requester during inspection to make certain original records are not taken or altered.
A copy of the most recent edition of the Ohio Sunshine Laws manual is available via the Attorney General’s internet website (www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov) for the purpose of keeping employees of the office and the public educated as to the office’s obligations under the Ohio Public Records Act, Open Meetings Act, records retention laws and Personal Information Systems Act.
ELECTRONIC RECORDS
Records in the form of e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging, including those sent and received via a hand-held communications device are to be treated in the same fashion as records in other formats, such as paper or audiotape. Please see Local Rules for costs of emailing copies.
Public record content transmitted to or from private accounts or personal devices is subject to disclosure. All employees or representatives of this office are required to retain their e-mail records and other electronic records in accordance with applicable records retention schedules.
DENIAL OR REDACTION OF RECORDS
If the requester makes an ambiguous or overly broad request or has difficulty in making a request for public records, the request may be denied, but the denial must provide the requester an opportunity to revise the request by informing the requester of the manner in which records are maintained and accessed by the office.
Any denial of public records requested must include an explanation, including legal authority. If the initial request was made in writing, the explanation must also be in writing. If portions of a record are public and portions are exempt, the exempt portions may be redacted and the rest released. When making public records available for public inspection or copying, the office shall notify the requestor of any redaction or make the redaction plainly visible. If there are redactions, each redaction must be accompanied by a supporting explanation, including legal authority.
COPYING AND MAILING COSTS
Those seeking public records may be charged only the actual cost of making copies, not labor. The charge for paper copies is five cents per page. The charge for electronic files downloaded to a compact disc is contingent upon the actual costs associated with making such copy.
A requester may be required to pay in advance for costs involved in providing the copy. The requester may choose whether to have the record duplicated upon paper, upon the same medium in which the public record is kept, or upon any other medium on which the office determines that the record can reasonably be duplicated as an integral part of the office’s normal operations.
If a requester asks that documents be mailed, he or she may be charged the actual cost of the postage and mailing supplies. Cost for records requested to be provided by email will be governed by Local Rule.
MANAGING RECORDS
The Allen County Clerk of Courts’ records are subject to records retention schedules pursuant to Ohio Supreme Court’s Superintendence Rules 26 to 26.05 and a Records Retention Schedule for our Auto Title Department. The office’s current schedules are available for inspection by the public, as required by ORC §149.43(B)(2).
Any questions or concerns with this policy should be directed to:
Jennifer McBride
Allen County Clerk of Courts
(419) 223-8512
