Justice in the Open: Examining Court Data Transparency Across States

• In Event: Court Data and Judicial Decision Making

Abstract

The data-sharing practices of courts play a pivotal role in shaping public service delivery, interagency coordination, and the transparency of judicial processes. Yet, these practices are often constrained by organizational, political, and technological factors. This study investigates the structural and contextual conditions influencing court data-sharing capacity across all 50 states. The three main objectives of the study include: (1) assess current policies and practices governing the reporting and dissemination of case-level court records; (2) examine how court data sharing has shaped the delivery of health and human services; and (3) identify factors that facilitate or hinder intergovernmental data sharing. Findings will inform efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and data-driven policy in the justice system.

Authors

• Kideuk Kim, Urban Institute

• Rochisha Shukla, Urban Institute

• Sarah Aukamp, The Urban Institute