Missouri Supreme Court: State can't charge attorney fees for Sunshine Law requests

In a win for transparency advocates, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that government agencies cannot charge for time attorneys spend reviewing public records that are requested under the state’s Sunshine Law.

In a 6-0 decision, the judges ruled that a lower court erred by siding with Gov. Mike Parson in a lawsuit alleging his office improperly redacted records, charged exorbitant fees and knowingly and purposely violated the state’s open records law.

Judge Patricia Breckenridge wrote that the court concluded the allegations were sufficient to plead that “the Governor’s Office had an intent to violate the law,”

The Missouri Supreme Court vacated a 2019 decision to dismiss the case and sent it back to the Cole County Circuit Court.

Read more: https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/29/missouri-supreme-court-state-cant-charge-attorney-fees-for-sunshine-law-requests/