NORMAN — Oklahomans have until Friday to let their State Supreme Court justices know just how they feel about having certain information stripped out of court filings.
The proposal, known as Rule 31, would require prosecutors to replace the dates of birth with the year of birth in an information filing. It would also remove the home addresses of defendants. Justices are accepting public comments through Friday.
While it may seem like a small redaction, it removes a vital way the public can differentiate between those individuals with similar names. John Smith, age 31, on 1 N. Berry Road, in Norman, positively identifies the defendant. John Smith, age 30 or 31, no address or city, leaves the public wondering just who the charge has been filed against.
In Cleveland County alone, there are dozens of filings with a John Smith, not counting those filed by attorney John Smith. Under the proposed rules, it’s hard to tell John Smith, the speeder, from John Smith, the alleged meth user.
Prosecutors quit putting Social Security Numbers on public filings years ago after hackers stole the numbers.
We hope the justices err on the side of more, not less, transparency here. Removing such information hampers citizens in their right to know what their government is doing and to whom.
