No. 25-6099October Term 2025DismissedUpdated Sep 5, 2026
Rahaim v. Ken Burke, Individually and in His Official Capacity as Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County, Florida
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.
This dismissed petition arose from Christopher Rahaim’s effort to obtain court records that he says would show violations of his rights in a Florida criminal case.
Case status
- Current stage
- Dismissed
- Latest event
- Dismissed
- Next
- Argument not yet scheduledArgument expected next term.
- What it's about
This dismissed petition arose from Christopher Rahaim’s effort to obtain court records that he says would show violations of his rights in a Florida criminal case. He asked the Supreme Court to reconsider the scope of public access rights to court records when a state court allegedly withholds evidence without a valid governmental interest or privilege.
Question presented
Should the established, freestanding public records rights be revisited for settling the states conflicting, questionable lawful authority to fraudulently conceal evidence that proves substantive, procedural rights violations falsely imprisoning a criminal defendant, the state court lacking any compelling government interest, evidentiary privilege or subject matter?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Dismissed
- Area
Dismissed Supreme Court case
Briefing
What it's about
Christopher Rahaim sought court records that he says could show rights violations in his Florida criminal case. His petition asked the Supreme Court to reconsider public access rights when a state court allegedly withholds evidence without a valid government interest or privilege.
Impact
The dispute concerns people seeking court files they believe are needed to challenge errors in criminal cases. For example, a defendant could seek records that may support a claim that legal procedures were violated.
What's next
No decision window is available. Any further scheduling move by the Court would appear on the case docket.
What is at stake in Rahaim v. Burke?
The case concerns whether public access rights to court records should be reconsidered when a criminal defendant says evidence is being withheld.
Who could be affected by the dispute over Florida court records?
Criminal defendants seeking court documents could be affected, especially those who believe records may help show violations of their rights.
What happens next in Rahaim v. Burke?
The petition is dismissed, and no decision window is set. Any later Court scheduling action would be reflected on the docket.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity2
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
Sep 5, 2026 | Generated
Brief added: Petition
Sep 2, 2025 | Court records
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 5, 2026
- Method
- Methodology