FLORIDA PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
INTERN: SOURCES OF INFORMATION
CORRECT 100%
Public Records - ANSWER Information that has been filed or recorded by local, state,
federal, or other government entities and is available to the general public
Private Records - ANSWER Any record that is not regulated by the Freedom Of
Information Act (FOIA) or Sunshine Laws and is not available to the general public.
A deeper look into Public Records - ANSWER 1) public record laws vary from state to
state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
2) public records are created by the federal and local government. (vital records,
immigration records, real estate records, driving records, criminal records, etc.)
3) most essential public records are maintained by the government and many are
accessible to the public either free of charge or for an administrative fee
4) availability is determined by federal, State, and local regulations. Even though public
records are indeed public their accessibility is not always simple free or easy. Some
states have separate policies that govern the availability of information contained in
public records. In some jurisdictions personal information maintained about an individual
may not be disclosed without the individuals consent.
5) public records are usually maintained as physical files.
6) many public records are available via the Internet and other sources.
7) most businesses offering access to databases specialize in something particular, yet
a few attempt to offer all sorts of available records to professionals in the legal, risk
management, corporate, Government, law-enforcement, accounting and academic
markets.
Freedom Of Information Act
(FOIA) - ANSWER Access to public records in the United States at the federal level is
guided by the freedom of information act.
1) FOIA include laws which set rules on access to information on records held by
government entities.
2) All states of the United States have laws governing access to public documents of
state and local entities, in addition to that country's freedom of information act which
governs Record management of documents in the possession of the federal
government
3) in general such laws define the legal process by which government information is
required to be available to the public
4) a related concept is open meeting legislation which allows access to government
meetings not just to the records of them.
5) privacy or data protection laws also vary from state to state and jurisdiction to
jurisdiction.
, 6) a basic principle behind the most freedom of information legislation is that the burden
of proof falls on the body asked for information not the person asking for. The requester
does not usually have to give an explanation for their request but if the information is not
disclosed a valid reason has to be given.
Sunshine Laws - ANSWER a law requiring certain proceedings of government agencies
at the state level to be open or available to the public.
Florida's Sunshine Law - ANSWER In Florida, every person has been granted the
constitutional right to inspect or copy any public record with some exemptions, and the
Sunshine Law provides a right of access to government proceedings at both the state
and local levels.
1) these essential laws afford citizens of our state the ability to see behind the curtain of
government and remain involved in the processes that affect their lives
2) without this access there is little accountability and accountability is vital for good
government.
Who is responisble in keeping Florida's Government access open to al Floridians? -
ANSWER The Florida Attorneys' General Office
The Florida Attorney General's Office - ANSWER 1) The office is charged with
mediating disputes involving access to public records and provides a mediation program
to that effect. a resource which can be requested by any member of the public.
2) The mediation program involves an impartial individual who encourages and
facilitates the resolution of a dispute involving access to public records.
3) The mediators assist the participants in fostering joint problem-solving and exploring
settlement alternatives.
4) By allowing parties to resolve issues in an informal mediation process, the Florida
Attorney General's Office prevents expensive and time-consuming litigation which is
often not an option for a citizen who is merely trying to hold his or her government
accountable and responsible for its actions.
5) To assist the public and governmental agencies in understanding the requirements
and exemptions to Florida's open government laws, the Florida Attorney General's
Office compiles a compiles a comprehensive guide known as the Government-in-the-
Sunshine manual. The manual is published each year at no taxpayer expense by the
Florida First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee.
6) Florida is renowned for putting a high priority on the public's right of access to
governmental meetings and records. In fact, the principles of open government are
embodied not only in Florida Statutes, but also guaranteed in the state constitution.
7) Florida voters have overwhelmingly showed their support for government in the
sunshine at all levels of government. They have made it clear they believe that open
government provides the best assurance of government that is responsive and
responsible to the needs of the people.
INTERN: SOURCES OF INFORMATION
CORRECT 100%
Public Records - ANSWER Information that has been filed or recorded by local, state,
federal, or other government entities and is available to the general public
Private Records - ANSWER Any record that is not regulated by the Freedom Of
Information Act (FOIA) or Sunshine Laws and is not available to the general public.
A deeper look into Public Records - ANSWER 1) public record laws vary from state to
state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
2) public records are created by the federal and local government. (vital records,
immigration records, real estate records, driving records, criminal records, etc.)
3) most essential public records are maintained by the government and many are
accessible to the public either free of charge or for an administrative fee
4) availability is determined by federal, State, and local regulations. Even though public
records are indeed public their accessibility is not always simple free or easy. Some
states have separate policies that govern the availability of information contained in
public records. In some jurisdictions personal information maintained about an individual
may not be disclosed without the individuals consent.
5) public records are usually maintained as physical files.
6) many public records are available via the Internet and other sources.
7) most businesses offering access to databases specialize in something particular, yet
a few attempt to offer all sorts of available records to professionals in the legal, risk
management, corporate, Government, law-enforcement, accounting and academic
markets.
Freedom Of Information Act
(FOIA) - ANSWER Access to public records in the United States at the federal level is
guided by the freedom of information act.
1) FOIA include laws which set rules on access to information on records held by
government entities.
2) All states of the United States have laws governing access to public documents of
state and local entities, in addition to that country's freedom of information act which
governs Record management of documents in the possession of the federal
government
3) in general such laws define the legal process by which government information is
required to be available to the public
4) a related concept is open meeting legislation which allows access to government
meetings not just to the records of them.
5) privacy or data protection laws also vary from state to state and jurisdiction to
jurisdiction.
, 6) a basic principle behind the most freedom of information legislation is that the burden
of proof falls on the body asked for information not the person asking for. The requester
does not usually have to give an explanation for their request but if the information is not
disclosed a valid reason has to be given.
Sunshine Laws - ANSWER a law requiring certain proceedings of government agencies
at the state level to be open or available to the public.
Florida's Sunshine Law - ANSWER In Florida, every person has been granted the
constitutional right to inspect or copy any public record with some exemptions, and the
Sunshine Law provides a right of access to government proceedings at both the state
and local levels.
1) these essential laws afford citizens of our state the ability to see behind the curtain of
government and remain involved in the processes that affect their lives
2) without this access there is little accountability and accountability is vital for good
government.
Who is responisble in keeping Florida's Government access open to al Floridians? -
ANSWER The Florida Attorneys' General Office
The Florida Attorney General's Office - ANSWER 1) The office is charged with
mediating disputes involving access to public records and provides a mediation program
to that effect. a resource which can be requested by any member of the public.
2) The mediation program involves an impartial individual who encourages and
facilitates the resolution of a dispute involving access to public records.
3) The mediators assist the participants in fostering joint problem-solving and exploring
settlement alternatives.
4) By allowing parties to resolve issues in an informal mediation process, the Florida
Attorney General's Office prevents expensive and time-consuming litigation which is
often not an option for a citizen who is merely trying to hold his or her government
accountable and responsible for its actions.
5) To assist the public and governmental agencies in understanding the requirements
and exemptions to Florida's open government laws, the Florida Attorney General's
Office compiles a compiles a comprehensive guide known as the Government-in-the-
Sunshine manual. The manual is published each year at no taxpayer expense by the
Florida First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee.
6) Florida is renowned for putting a high priority on the public's right of access to
governmental meetings and records. In fact, the principles of open government are
embodied not only in Florida Statutes, but also guaranteed in the state constitution.
7) Florida voters have overwhelmingly showed their support for government in the
sunshine at all levels of government. They have made it clear they believe that open
government provides the best assurance of government that is responsive and
responsible to the needs of the people.
