Publication Date
2008
Abstract
Google and other search engines allow anyone with Internet access the ability to obtain a wealth of information about their neighbors, acquaintances, employees, or even adversaries. Although easy access to information is generally a positive development, the easy discovery of highly personal and stigmatizing information often is not. It is particularly disconcerting when the information is being purveyed by appellate courts around the nation when they post hundreds of opinions to court websites every day. This Article surveys the use of initials and pseudonyms in appellate opinions for victims of crime, children, the mentally ill, jurors, and others. It discusses the relatively few and sometimes inconsistent rules or procedures applied by courts in deciding whose identities will be protected and whose will be exposed in very public opinions that will follow individuals for their lifetimes. It also offers four possible approaches to reform and concludes with a call for courts to be purposeful in adopting rules and procedures that provide meaningful protection,whatever form it might take.
Recommended Citation
Schumm, Joel M.
(2008)
"No Names, Please: The Virtual Victimization of Children, Crime Victims, the Mentally Ill, and Others in Appellate Court Opinions,"
Georgia Law Review: Vol. 42:
No.
2, Article 4.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/glr/vol42/iss2/4