Sorry - this lost the nice format that Pat used. Next time some of you go to a Courthouse to copy, how about taking these emails from Pat with you and see what kind of reaction you get. If they won't lower their costs then think it might be time for us to do a little protesting to the AG. For those of you who don't know - Easley is now the Gov of NC but I assume the Sunshine Office is still in existence. Stephen did protest, but received no reply. Prices weren't lowered either. From: "Patricia Armor" <parmor@wave-net.net> To: "Martha Marble" <mmarble@erols.com> Subject: Public Records Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 16:12:50 -0500 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2615.200 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2615.200 Martha, Here is another site on the Public Record copy fees. This is from the office of Mike Easley http://www.jus.state.nc.us/cr/sunshine.htm Pat Armor Public Records: Questions & Answers 1. What is the public policy regarding public records? The North Carolina General Assembly has declared as a matter of public policy that the public records and public information compiled by agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people. N.C.G.S. § 132-1(b) 2. What are public records? Public records are documentary materials that are either made or received by government agencies in North Carolina in carrying on public business. Public records include documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristic. N.C.G.S. § 132-1 3. Who may inspect or get copies of public records? Any person may inspect and get copies of public records. N.C.G.S. § 132-6 4. To whom should a request for public records be directed? The Public Records Law does not describe any specific procedure that a person must follow in requesting to inspect public records. Normally, a request to any employee in a government office is sufficient to get access to records in that office. However, it is the custodian of public records who is specifically required to allow those records to be inspected. The public official in charge of an office is designated to be the custodian of records for that office. N.C.G..S. § 132-2 5. When are public records available for inspection or copying? The Public Records Law says that inspection and examination of records should be allowed at "reasonable times" and under the reasonable supervision of the agency. "Reasonable times" is generally understood to mean during regular business hours. N.C.G.S. § 132-6 6. May citizens request copies of public records in any media available? If an agency has the capability to provide copies of public records in different kinds of media (for example, in print or on computer disc), people requesting copies may choose to get copies in any and all the media available. People requesting copies of computer databases may be required to make their requests in writing. N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(c) 7. May an agency charge fees for public records? Government agencies may not charge fees for inspecting public records. Fees for certifying copies of public records are provided by law. However, unless otherwise provided by law, no public agency shall charge a fee for an uncertified copy of a public record that exceeds the actual cost to the public agency of making the copy. N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b) Thanks, Pat www.parmor.com