The Utah Attorney General's Office is on a cold streak when it comes to records.

First the Utah Supreme Court ruled against the AG when it tried to keep secret records dealing with wilderness rights of way over public lands.

Then on Thursday the State Records Committee said the AG must release communications between the criminal appeals division and attorneys representing the Utah Division of Finance. Click here for an article about the decision.

The technical aspects of Thursday's case dealt with whether discussions among the lawyers constituted attorney-client privilege. The heart of the matter is public defenders want to know what the AG's office said about paying lawyers who defend appealing convicts.

But the latter case may not be over. The AG has the option of filing a lawsuit in state district court challenging the records committee decision.


— NC

Labels: State Records Committee