Rule 21.130 Protected Information

When you file documents electronically in court or look up information through the electronic filing system, you have to follow state and federal laws about how that information can be used. This applies to anyone who accesses court records through the online system, including lawyers, parties in a case, and members of the public.

Court documents often contain personal details like social security numbers, financial account numbers, medical records, or information about children. Even though the electronic filing system makes these documents easier to access, the law still protects certain private information. You cannot use information from these filings in ways that break privacy laws or other legal protections, even if you were able to view or download the document.

In short, having access to a document does not mean you can do whatever you want with the information inside it. The same privacy rules that apply to paper records also apply to electronic ones. If you misuse protected information, you could face legal consequences separate from the court case itself.