Port: Bill closing access to court records means less justice, not more

Port: Bill closing access to court records means less justice, not more

MINOT — On its face, House Bill 1166 doesn't seem like a terrible idea. The legislation orders courts to seal the records of proceedings that result in no conviction. The seal is imposed after 61 days. The law is also retroactive. Cases adjudicated before Aug. 1, 2025, will be closed once the defendant in the matter petitions the court. The bill had support from criminal justice reformers. Notably, the North Dakota Association for Justice and th…