Public records and getting data from the government

Have you ever wondered how Louisiana’s public records laws work? On Tuesday, May 7, Charles Maldonado, editor at The Lens, will be joined by criminal justice reporter Samantha Sunne and attorney Scott Sternberg to explain how you can use public records to hold government agencies accountable and how to access those records. We will focus on criminal justice, specifically courts and prosecutors’ offices.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to use Louisiana’s public records law to view and obtain documents and data
• What records are available from criminal courts and prosecutors’ offices
• How the law can exempt some records from public disclosure
• What problems to expect when requesting records and how to negotiate a solution

Date: Tuesday, May 7

Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)

Location: Blue House, 1700 S. Rampart (in Central City near O.C. Haley)

Questions: Email Anne at amueller@TheLensNola.org.

Open and free to the public, with a suggested donation of $20.

Please RSVP on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-local-journalists-for-a-public-records-workshop-focusing-on-criminal-justice-tickets-61054690222

Thank you to the Blue House for hosting and providing refreshments.