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![handle is hein.sag/sagok0034 and id is 1 raw text is: OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION
2014-1
The Honorable Scott C. Martin
State Representative, District 46
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 432D
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
January 13, 2014
Dear Representative Martin:
This office has received your request for an official Attorney General Opinion in which
you ask, in effect, the following question:
Are audio recordings of state district court proceedings subject to
disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, 51 O.S.2011 &
Supp.2013, §§ 24A.1 - 24A.29?
We have learned through research and conversations that the specific records about
which you inquire are tape recordings of district court proceedings that have been filed
with a district court clerk. We, therefore, analyze your request in that context, and
conclude that sound recordings of court proceedings filed with or kept in the custody of a
district court clerk are open records unless they are properly sealed by court order or
specifically exempted from disclosure by law.
I.
THE OPEN REcoRDs ACT
The Oklahoma Open Records Act (Act) makes unequivocal the policy of the State of
Oklahoma to make most records of public bodies open for public inspection or copying.
The Act specifically provides as follows:
[I]t is the public policy of the State of Oklahoma that the people are vested
with the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their
313 N.E. 21ST STREET - OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105 - (405) 521-3921 - FAX: (405) 521-6246
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