World Pub. Co. v. Miller

• Decision Date: 12 June 2001
• Docket Number: No. 95,519.,95,519.
• Citation: 2001 OK 49,32 P.3d 829
• Parties: WORLD PUBLISHING COMPANY, an Oklahoma corporation, Petitioner, v. The Honorable Russell C. MILLER, Judge of the District Court of Creek County, 24th Judicial District, Respondent, and Robert Wayne Rotramel, an Individual, Real Party in Interest.
• Court: Oklahoma Supreme Court

32 P.3d 829

2001 OK 49

WORLD PUBLISHING COMPANY, an Oklahoma corporation, Petitioner, v. The Honorable Russell C. MILLER, Judge of the District Court of Creek County, 24th Judicial District, Respondent, and Robert Wayne Rotramel, an Individual, Real Party in Interest.

No. 95,519.

Supreme Court of Oklahoma.

June 12, 2001.

As Corrected October 1, 2001.

Rehearing Denied October 4, 2001.

J Schaad Titus, Tulsa, OK, For Petitioner, World Publishing Company.

E. Clyde Kirk, Assistant Attorney General, Brandon D. Watkins, Assistant Attorney General, Oklahoma City, OK, For Respondent, Honorable Russell C. Miller.

Craig D. Corgan, Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, Sapulpa, Craig Sutter, Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, Norman, For Real Party in Interest, Robert Wayne Rotramel.

KAUGER, J.:

¶ 1 The original action presents a single issue:¹ whether 10 O.S. Supp.1999 § 7307-1.2(F) through (H)² mandate a judicial order prior to the release of records exempted from the general confidentiality requirements by subsection 7307-1.2(C) of the statute.³ We hold that it does. Therefore, we assume original jurisdiction and deny the writ.⁴

FACTS

¶ 2 On August 23, 2000, the adult real party in interest, Robert Wayne Rotramel (Rotramel/adult), was charged with multiple crimes including first degree murder, kidnapping, lewd molestation, rape and forcible sodomy. The charges arose from an incident in which Rotramel allegedly kidnapped seven and twelve year old girls, forced them into an abandoned home, strangled the seven year old to keep her quiet and raped and sodomized the twelve year old.

¶ 3 In an attempt to gain access to Rotramel's juvenile records, the petitioner, World Publishing Company (World Publishing/newspaper), filed a motion to intervene in the criminal cause. Rotramel filed a motion to dismiss asserting that the newspaper was not a party to the criminal action and lacked standing to intervene. The trial judge, Honorable Russell C. Miller (respondent judge), sustained the motion and advised World Publishing that access to the records should be sought in a proceeding pursuant to 10 O.S. Supp.1999 § 7307-1.2(F) through (H).

¶ 4 World Publishing filed an application to assume original jurisdiction and a petition for writ of mandamus on November 17, 2000. Rotramel and the respondent judge filed responses on December 11, 2000, and December 22, 2000, respectively.

¶ 5 THE PROVISIONS OF 10 O.S. SUPP. 1999 § 7307-1.2(F)-(H) MANDATE A JUDICIAL ORDER BEFORE THE RELEASE OF RECORDS EXEMPTED FROM THE GENERAL CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATUTE.

¶ 6 World Publishing argues that the procedural protections afforded by 10 O.S. Supp. 1999 § 7307-1.2(F) through (H) have no application to juvenile court and law enforcement records opened pursuant to one of the exceptions contained in 10 O.S. Supp.1999 § 7307-1.2(C). The respondent judge and Rotramel contend that there was no duty to release the records in the criminal proceeding and that World Publishing lacked standing to intervene in the cause.⁵

¶ 7 Legislative intent⁶ controls statutory interpretation.⁷ Intent is ascertained from the whole act in light of its general purpose and objective⁸ considering relevant provisions together to give full force and effect to each.⁹ The Court presumes that the Legislature expressed its intent and that it intended what it expressed.¹⁰ Statutes are interpreted to attain that purpose and end¹¹ championing the broad public policy purposes underlying them.¹² Only where the legislative intent cannot be ascertained from the statutory language, i.e. in cases of ambiguity or conflict, are rules of statutory construction employed.¹³ However, where the statutory language is ambiguous or uncertain, a construction is applied to avoid absurdities.¹⁴ When construing a statute, the Court does not limit itself to the consideration of a single word or phrase. Rather, we look to the various provisions of the relevant legislative scheme to ascertain and give effect to the legislative intent.¹⁵ Nevertheless, the plain and ordinary meaning of the language utilized is the standard for determining intent.¹⁶

¶ 8 Title 10 O.S.1999 § 7307-1.2 states the general rule of confidentiality governing juvenile causes specifically listing five categories of records which shall be deemed confidential. Subsection 3 of the statute provides a list of seven situations or occurrences under which the general rule of confidentiality does not apply. Subsections F through H of the statute describe a procedure under which confidential records described in the statute "may only" be inspected, released, disclosed corrected or expunged "pursuant to an order of the court." When issuing an order opening records under the statute, the court must give due regard for the inherent confidentiality of the records and the privacy of persons identified therein. In issuing such an order, the judicial officer has the authority to condition release on terms and restrictions deemed necessary. When a petition is filed requesting that confidential records be released, notice is given and a hearing may be held.

¶ 9 Despite the language of the statute indicating that records "may only" be released "pursuant to an order of the court," World Publishing contends that once one of the seven factors identified by subsection C of the statute occurs, the records are automatically opened and there is no need for judicial intervention or review. The argument is unconvincing.

¶ 10 The language in the statute is clear. The Legislature has utilized a restrictive phrase, "may only",¹⁷ in conjunction with the requirement for release of the otherwise confidential records. Further, the Legislature has provided that the inspection, release, disclosure, correction or expungement of these records shall occur upon the happening of a specific act — "pursuant to order of the court." This Court does not read exceptions into a statute not made by the Legislature.¹⁸ Further, a statute affecting the public interest and promoting justice which prescribes the manner of performance is generally mandatory.¹⁹

¶ 11 Second, where the Legislature intended that records should be released without court order, it has spoken. Subsection M of the statute at issue — 10 O.S. Supp.1999 7307-1.2²⁰ — allows a school district where the juvenile is currently enrolled to inspect the records without court order. Title 10 O.S. Supp.1996 § 7307-1.3 allows participating agencies to access otherwise confidential records in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to the Serious and Habitual Juvenile Offender Act, 10 O.S. Supp.1995 § 7302-9.1 et seq. Section 7307-1.4 of title 10 allows the inspection and disclosure of juvenile court records without court order by a variety of individuals, agencies, tribal organizations and state and federal officials for use in their respective official capacities. Under similar circumstances in 10 O.S. Supp.2000 § 7307-1.5, Department of Juvenile Justice agency records are made available for inspection without court order.

¶ 12 The Legislature did not provide that the records at issue in 10 O.S. Supp.1999 § 7307-1.2(C) could be released without court order. However, when the Legislature intended for access to be provided without judicial intervention, it did so specifically.

¶ 13 Third, when otherwise confidential records are released, it is not only the individuals whose records are sought who may be affected. Other juveniles, parental authorities or victims may well be identified in the documents. Pursuant to 10 O.S. Supp. 1999 § 7307-1.2(F), the trial court is to give due regard to the privacy of individuals identified in the records and may condition the release of the records on the terms and restrictions it deems necessary and appropriate. There is nothing in the language of subsection C denominating the occurrences which justify release of the individual's records indicating that other persons named in the records should lose their anonymity. Further, in only one situation identified in § 7307-1.2 is there any provision for noting on juvenile records that they are no longer subject to the general confidentiality requirements of the statute.

¶ 14 Subsection D of the statute provides that after July 1, 1995, courts having jurisdiction over delinquent adjudications shall note on the record of juveniles over the age of 14 that subsequent juvenile court records shall not be confidential.²¹ Without the issuance of a court order or a notation on records indicating that they are no longer confidential, court clerks presented with requests for such information would be placed in the untenable position of attempting to determine whether any exception to confidentiality was applicable — a traditionally judicial function²² — and would be placed in jeopardy of being charged with a misdemeanor for making the incorrect choice.²³

¶ 15 Based on the statutory language utilized in the statutory provisions at issue and the legislative scheme providing for the release of otherwise confidential information without judicial intervention in limited circumstances, we hold that the provisions of 10 O.S. Supp.1999 § 7307-1.2(F) through (H) mandate judicial approval prior to the release of records exempted from the general confidentiality requirements of 10 O.S. Supp.1999 § 7307-1.2(C).²⁴

CONCLUSION

¶ 16 Juvenile judges are given discretion for a reason. Regularly, they deal with these special cases. They know the public pressures and probable public responses of their communities. They have the experience of getting to know the children generally and how they react to the system. Finally, they are on the front lines and have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the accused. The Legislature has recognized the importance of the exercise of judicial discretion when otherwise confidential records may be subject to release. Speaking through its legislative voice, it has left to the courts the duty of issuing...