Md. R. Ct. Admin. 16-918

As amended through November 13, 2024

Rule 16-918 - [Effective 1/1/2025] Access to Electronic Records

(a) In General

Subject to the other Rules in this Title and in Title 20 and other applicable law, a judicial record that is kept in electronic form is open to inspection to the same extent that the record would be open to inspection in paper form.

(b) Denial of Access

(1) Restricted Information

A custodian shall take reasonable steps to prevent access to restricted information, as defined in Rule 20-101(r), that the custodian is on notice is included in an electronic judicial record.

(2) Certain Identifying Information

(A) In General

Except as provided in subsection (b)(2)(B) of this Rule, a custodian shall prevent remote access to the name, address, telephone number, date of birth, e-mail address, and place of employment of a victim or nonparty witness in:

(i) a criminal action,

(ii) a juvenile delinquency action under Code, Courts Article, Title 3, Subtitle 8A,

(iii) an action under Code, Family Law Article, Title 4, Subtitle 5 (domestic violence), or

(iv) an action under Code, Courts Article, Title 3, Subtitle 15 (peace order).

(B) Exceptions

(i) Unless shielded by a protective order, the name, office address, office telephone number and office e-mail address, if any, relating to law enforcement officers, other public officials or employees acting in their official capacity, and expert witnesses, may be remotely accessible.

(ii) Subsection (b)(2) of this Rule does not apply to briefs, appendices, petitions for writ of certiorari, motions, and oppositions filed in the Supreme Court or the Appellate Court.

(C) Notice to Custodian

A person who places in a judicial record identifying information relating to a witness shall give the custodian written or electronic notice that such information is included in the record, where in the record that information is contained, and whether that information is not subject to remote access under this Rule, Rule 1-322.1, Rule 20-201, or other applicable law. Except as federal law may otherwise provide, in the absence of such notice a custodian is not liable for allowing remote access to the information.

(c) Availability of Computer Terminals

Clerks shall make available at convenient places in the courthouses computer terminals or kiosks that the public may use to access judicial records and parts of judicial records that are open to inspection, including judicial records as to which remote access is otherwise prohibited. To the extent authorized by administrative order of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, computer terminals or kiosks may be made available at other facilities for that purpose.

(d) Access to Digital Media

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, digital media shall be viewable upon request at a terminal or kiosk located in a courthouse.

Md. R. Ct. Admin. 16-918

This Rule is derived from former Rule 16-910(2019) and is in part new.

Adopted June 29, 2020, eff. 8/1/2020; amended February 9, 2022, eff. 4/1/2022; amended April 21, 2023, eff. 4/1/2023; amended Oct. 15, 2024, eff. 1/1/2025.

Committee note: Although use of a courthouse computer terminal or kiosk is free of charge, the cost of obtaining a copy of the records is governed by Rule 16-905.

Committee note: Accessing digital media may involve playing a sound recording. The clerk should make appropriate accommodations to avoid disruptions to staff and patrons, including providing headphones at the terminal or kiosk.

Rule 20-109.