Rule 16 Sealing of Record.

When a judge decides a case is sensitive, the court can seal the entire record. This means all documents filed in the case, along with the case file itself, get locked up and kept secure by the court's clerk or administrator. The public can't view these sealed files.

Even though the record is sealed, the case doesn't disappear completely. The clerk's office keeps a basic reference showing the case number exists, so people can look up that the case is there. However, they won't be able to see the actual documents or details inside the sealed file without special permission from the court.

This rule gives judges a tool to protect private or sensitive information in certain cases, like those involving minors, victims of certain crimes, or other situations where privacy matters. At the same time, it keeps a small public trail showing the case exists, so the court system stays somewhat transparent even when specific details are kept confidential.