What is a court's authority to seal records?

• A. The power to seal all records upon request of any party.
• B. The power to seal only temporary electronic notes.
• C. Judicial power to restrict access to court records for privacy or safety reasons.
• D. The authority to seal records only after a verdict of guilty.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that courts have a discretionary, protective authority to restrict who can access court records in order to safeguard privacy or safety. While court records are typically public, the law recognizes that certain information or cases require special handling. Judges can issue sealing orders or apply redactions to limit access to all or part of records when releasing them would unjustly invade privacy, endanger someone’s safety, or reveal sensitive details. This authority is exercised on a case-by-case basis and relies on balancing the public interest in transparency with the competing privacy and safety interests, rather than being a blanket power that automatically seals everything or only specific notes, or only after a guilty verdict.