What is Rule 12?

What is Rule 12?

• A. A statute governing evidence in trials
• B. A Rule of Judicial Administration designed to define public access to judicial records; the definition of judicial records makes an exception to adjudicative records filed in the courts
• C. A policy about juror anonymity
• D. A guideline for scheduling

Answer: (B)

Rule 12 governs access to court records. It’s a Rule of Judicial Administration, not a statute, and it defines what counts as a judicial record. The important idea is that the rule sets how the public can view court records while creating an exception for adjudicative records filed in the courts. In practice, this means many court documents are accessible to the public, but certain materials related to the judge’s decision making or involving sensitive information can be restricted. It isn’t about evidence rules, juror anonymity, or scheduling—those topics are covered by other provisions.

Rule 12 governs access to court records. It’s a Rule of Judicial Administration, not a statute, and it defines what counts as a judicial record. The important idea is that the rule sets how the public can view court records while creating an exception for adjudicative records filed in the courts. In practice, this means many court documents are accessible to the public, but certain materials related to the judge’s decision making or involving sensitive information can be restricted. It isn’t about evidence rules, juror anonymity, or scheduling—those topics are covered by other provisions.