Christopher J. Rahaim, Petitioner v. Ken Burke, Individually and in His Official Capacity as Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County, Florida, et al.

Christopher J. Rahaim has asked the Supreme Court to review a case from the Eleventh Circuit about access to public records. He argues the Court should revisit public-records rights when a state allegedly conceals evidence that he says would show rights violations and false imprisonment in a criminal case.

The case is still at the petition stage, and oral argument has not been scheduled. The petition asks the justices to revisit public-records rights in the setting of alleged concealed evidence in a criminal case.

If the Court takes the case, it could affect how criminal defendants try to get records they believe were concealed by state officials. For example, it could matter to a prisoner seeking court records that he says show serious mistakes in his case.

The petition asks whether the Court should revisit public-records rights when a state allegedly conceals evidence in a criminal case. Rahaim says the hidden material would show rights violations.

Criminal defendants seeking records could be affected, along with clerks and other state officials who control access to court materials. The issue matters most when someone says records show serious errors.

The Court has not scheduled argument. Watch for a scheduling move or another order showing whether the petition advances.