What does it mean when documents are sealed?

What does it mean when documents are sealed?

Record sealing is the practice of sealing or, in some cases, destroying court records that would otherwise be publicly accessible as public records. The term is derived from the tradition of placing a seal on specified files or documents that prevents anyone from reviewing the files without receiving a court order.

Can a sealed case be unsealed?

Sealed criminal records are not often unsealed. It is possible for a defendant to have his/her own records unsealed. It’s also possible for law enforcement to unseal records in order to defend a related civil lawsuit or for a prosecutor to decide if a defendant is eligible for a diversion program.

What does it mean when a case is statutorily sealed?

Statutory sealing of a file is the sealing of a file in accordance with the law provided in the statute. Statutes may have specific provisions authorizing a court to seal or limit the disclosure of files, affidavits, documents, or other materials, whether at a pretrial or trial stage.

How do you seal a civil court case?

To get a court record sealed, you must bring a motion – an official request – before a judge. In the motion, you must convince the judge that you have serious privacy or safety concerns that outweigh any public interest in having access to those records.