Overview
During our review of the sample of 60 closed criminal cases, we found that the public portal in MassCourts did not allow the public to remotely access all information. Specifically, the closed criminal cases in the public portal in MassCourts did not include docket information and calendar information. We found that the New Bedford District Court (NBDC) entered all of this required information into MassCourts; however, this required information was not available remotely to the public through this portal. The Massachusetts Trial Court is responsible for MassCourts, including what information is available remotely to the public.
If the Massachusetts Trial Court does not ensure that criminal case information is remotely accessible to the public, then individuals cannot access this information without physically visiting the courthouse, which may not be possible for all individuals.
Rule 5(a)(2) of Massachusetts Trial Court Rule XIV: Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records states,
The following information shall be viewable remotely in criminal court records: . . .
(C) The docket of a specific case; and
(D) Calendar information
Massachusetts Trial Court officials did not provide a reason why this information was not available remotely to the public.
NBDC should follow up with the Massachusetts Trial Court to ensure that all of the required information for criminal cases in its court is available remotely to the public.
NBDC did not provide a response to our audit report.
| Date published: | April 18, 2024 |
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