Rule 4-16. Court Files

Rule 4-16. Court Files

   A. Except under exceptional circumstances, and then only with the special permission of a District Judge for good cause shown, no person other than the judges or District Court personnel shall remove from the office or possession of the Clerk of the District Court any records, papers, or files, including transcripts and bills of exceptions, pertaining to the cases in the court.

   B. If a District Judge grants permission to remove from the Office of the Clerk of the District Court any records, papers, or files, the person to whom the permission is granted shall sign a written receipt for such materials. The receipt shall identify with particularity the materials being removed and shall include (1) the name, address, and telephone number of the person who is removing the materials and (2) the name, address, and telephone number of the person on whose behalf the materials are being removed.

   The records, papers, or files shall be returned to the Clerk of the District Court within three (3) working days of the date on which they are removed, including the day of removal, and in no event shall the materials be returned later than one (1) working day prior to any court proceeding in the case to which they relate. The failure to return any records, papers, or files in compliance with the provisions of this rule shall result in revocation of the removal privilege of the attorney, firm of attorneys, or abstracter on whose behalf the materials were removed. The privilege shall not be restored except as the presiding judge may direct. The presiding judge may impose such other penalties and sanctions as may be appropriate for violation of this rule.

   C. Any person may obtain photocopies of any public filings at such reasonable cost as the Clerk of the District Court shall determine.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended October 26, 2005; amended September 21, 2022.