2023 Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XXXVIII - Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders
Chapter 595 - Victims of Crimes, Compensation and Services
Section 595.226 - Identifiable information in court records to be redacted, when — disclosure of information permitted, when — disclosure of identifying information regarding defendant, when.

Title XXXVIII CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS

Chapter 595

595.226. Identifiable information in court records to be redacted, when — disclosure of information permitted, when — disclosure of identifying information regarding defendant, when. — 1. After August 28, 2007, any information contained in any court record, whether written or published on the internet, including any visual or aural recordings that could be used to identify or locate any victim of an offense under chapter 566 or a victim of domestic assault or stalking shall be closed and redacted from such record prior to disclosure to the public. Identifying information shall include, but shall not be limited to, the name, home or temporary address, personal email address, telephone number, Social Security number, birth date, place of employment, any health information, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, any information from a forensic testing report, or physical characteristics, including an unobstructed visual image of the victim's face or body.

2. Any person who is requesting identifying information of a victim and who has a legitimate interest in obtaining such information may petition the court for an in camera inspection of the records. If the court determines the person is entitled to all or any part of such records, the court may order production and disclosure of the records, but only if the court determines that the disclosure to the person or entity would not compromise the welfare or safety of the victim, and only after providing reasonable notice to the victim and after allowing the victim the right to respond to such request.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of this section, the judge presiding over a case under chapter 566 or a case of domestic assault or stalking shall have the discretion to publicly disclose identifying information regarding the defendant which could be used to identify or locate the victim of the crime. The victim may provide a statement to the court regarding whether he or she desires such information to remain closed. When making the decision to disclose such information, the judge shall consider the welfare and safety of the victim and any statement to the court received from the victim regarding the disclosure.

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(L. 2007 H.B. 583, A.L. 2009 H.B. 177 & H.B. 622, A.L. 2013 H.B. 215, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491, A.L. 2016 H.B. 1562, A.L. 2022 S.B. 775, et al.)

Transferred 2014; formerly 566.226; Effective 1-01-17