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- Can I interview the judge about this case?
- No. The Judicial Canons of ethics specifically state that judges can not make public comments about cases they are presiding over. However, the Presiding Judge is always happy to sit down with reporters and answer questions to help explain the legal aspects of the case.
- Can I look up information about cases online?
- Yes. You can look up information about criminal, civil and probate cases on Case.Net. The Case.Net system is accessible through the court’s website by clicking on the appropriate icon. A basic lesson in how to use Case.Net, view the following PDF file to help.
- How do I access case files?
- To access civil or criminal cases, you will need to visit the civil or criminal records departments in the Kansas City or Independence Courthouses. If the case is older, the files are kept at another location in storage and will have to be ordered. The quickest and easiest way for you to find out where a file is located is to call the Public Information Officer who can look in the computer to see where the file was last tracked. The PIO can also order old files from storage for you to view.
- Where can I film in the court buildings?
- The rules for filming in court buildings are different for each building, and for specifics you should look at the local court rule for photographing in court buildings.
- What is the procedure to get permission to film/photograph in the courtroom?
- Email or fax the Court’s Public Information Officer. You will need to provide the defendant’s name or case number and the date and time of the proceeding you wish to film. The PIO will forward your request to the Judge, and then let you know the Judge’s decisions.
- I need to interview a judge or expert for a story I’m working on—what is the procedure for arranging that?
- The quickest and easiest way to access judges or court officials is to call the Court’s Public Information Officer. This will save you added time and aggravation because if you call these people directly, most of them will tell you to call the PIO anyway. The PIO is there to help you and can get in touch with these people more quickly than you can trying to do it yourself.
- How do I get in touch with the PIO?
- Here is the contact information for the PIO: Mary Jacobi, phone: 816-881-3552 E-mail: Mary.Jacobi@courts.mo.gov Fax: 816-881-3164. If the PIO is out of the office, you may call the Court Admistrator’s office, 816-881-3652, and someone will assist you.
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