In the wake of nationwide protests stemming from the tragic death of George Floyd and the subsequent calls across the country to both defund police departments and reform their practices, access to real time information regarding police activities has rapidly gained momentum.

The biggest threat I have with my kids is to take away their phones. Now, apparently a New Jersey Mayor feels the same way, trying to confiscate phones during public meetings.

Public records requests remain a minefield of issues for both the custodian and the requestor. Custodians must follow a step-by-step process to ensure compliance with the law and requestors must be specific or they may not obtain the documents they seek.

Local businesses within a commercial corridor looking to revitalize the economic, physical, and social value of its business should encourage their respective municipality to form Improvement Districts (“ID”).

George Morris and Daniel Davidow discuss another recent ruling by the NJ Supreme Court on OPRA, this time regarding police department documents. 

OPRA Counsel George Morris explains the recent New Jersey Supreme Court refusal to hear an appellate court case on privacy concerns regarding public records.

Yesterday, the New Jersey Appellate Division resolved the long-standing question of whether the Open Public Records Act only required responses to records requests from New Jersey residents. 

Municipal and Government attorney, George Morris explains how to retain and destroy public records properly and avoid liability. 

Parker McCay attorney and statewide public records lecturer George Morris shares his thoughts on the effect of redacting public records on Boards of Education in this entry of the Public Schools and Education blog.

The Open and Public Records Act ("OPRA") was enacted as a tool to promote transparency in New Jersey government and municipal operations, but as with any tool, OPRA can be subject to misuse.