Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 12.10
A records custodian who fails to comply with this rule, knowing that the failure to comply is in violation of the rule, is subject to sanctions under the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 12.10
Comments
1. Although the definition of "judicial agency" in Rule 12.2(b) is comprehensive, applicability of the rule is restricted by Rule 12.3. The rule does not apply to judicial agencies whose records are expressly made subject to disclosure by statute, rule, or law. An example is the State Bar ("an administrative agency of the judicial department", Tex. Gov't Code § 81.011(a) ), which is subject to the Public Information Act. Tex. Gov't Code § 81.033. Thus, no judicial agency must comply with both the Act and this rule; at most one can apply. Nor does the rule apply to judicial agencies expressly excepted from the Act by statute (other than by the general judiciary exception in section 552.003(b) of the Act), rule, or law. Examples are the Board of Legal Specialization, Tex. Gov't Code § 81.033, and the Board of Disciplinary Appeals, Tex. R. Disciplinary App. 7.12. Because these boards are expressly excepted from the Act, their records are not subject to disclosure under this rule, even though no law affirmatively makes their records confidential. The Board of Law Examiners is partly subject to the Act and partly exempt, Tex. Gov't Code § 82.003, and therefore this rule is inapplicable to it. An example of a judicial agency subject to the rule is the Supreme Court Advisory Committee, which is neither subject to nor expressly excepted from the Act, and whose records are not made confidential by any law.
2. As stated in Rule 12.4, this rule does not require the creation or retention of records, but neither does it permit the destruction of records that are required to be maintained by statute or other law, such as Tex. Gov't Code §§ 441.158 -.167, .180-.203; Tex. Local Gov't Code ch. 203; and 13 Tex. Admin. Code § 7.122.
3. Rule 12.8 allows a records custodian to deny a record request that would substantially and unreasonably impede the routine operation of the court or judicial agency. As an illustration, and not by way of limitation, a request for "all judicial records" that is submitted every day or even every few days by the same person or persons acting in concert could substantially and unreasonably impede the operations of a court or judicial agency that lacked the staff to respond to such repeated requests.
4. Comment to 2008 change: The Attorney General's rule, adopted in accordance with Section 552.262 of the Government Code, is in Section 70.3 of Title I of the Texas Administrative Code.
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