§21.1 Introduction

• Jurisdiction: Washington

§21.1 INTRODUCTION

Court proceedings and records are not governed by public records and open meetings laws. Instead, the public's right of access is guaranteed by state and federal constitutions, common law, and court rules. The courts themselves have a duty to ensure "the right of the people to ... freely observe the administration of civil and criminal justice," Allied Daily Newspapers of Wash. v. Eikenberry, 121 Wn.2d 205, 211, 848 P.2d 1258 (1993), and must presume that "'[j]ustice in all cases...