Lisa Hoag v. Executive Office of the Trial Court (SPR 20170713)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords June 7, 2017 SPR171713 Stefano J. Cornelio, Esq. Administrative Attorney Executive Office of the Trial Court Two Center Plaza, Fifth Floor Boston, MA 021 08 Dear Attorney Cornelio: I have received the petition of Lisa Hoag appealing the response of the Executive Office ofthe Trial Court (Office). G. L. c. 66 § lOA; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Ms. Hoag requested six categories of records pertaining to the Franklin County Law Library at the Franklin County Superior Court. In a response dated March 15, 2017, you indicate "[p]lease be advised that the Judicial Branch is not subject to G.L. c. 66, § 10, the pertinent section of the Massachusetts public records statute." You cite G.L. c. 4, §7 (26) and Kettenbach v. Bd. of Bar Overseers, 448 Mass. 1019 (2007) to support this position. You also indicate "[n ]otwithstanding the inapplicability of the Commonwealth's public records law, the Trial Court attempts to provide requested information when feasible and when such requests do not unduly burden the Trial Court's staff and resources. The Trial Court is reviewing your request and will be providing a response when said review is complete." Accordingly, whereas the Supreme Judicial Court held that records of the judiciary are not subject to the Public Records Law, I am unable to assist Ms. Hoag in this matter. See Kettenbach, 448 Mass. at 1020; Lambert v. Exec. Dir. ofthe Judicial Nominating Council, 425 Mass. 406, 409 (1997).Therefore, I must consider this administrative appeal closed. Sincerely, ~~ Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Lisa Hoag One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us