Story perspectives

Federal Judge Orders Navy to Ensure Court Record Transparency

3/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

A federal judge ruled the U.S. Navy must provide public access to court records and hearings, marking a transparency victory.
The ruling followed ProPublica's suit alleging Navy secrecy violated the First Amendment and requires access to nonclassified records within deadlines, with ProPublica's legal team from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP.
The Navy had withheld over 99% of court records under its previous policy.

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Story summary

A federal judge ruled the U.S. Navy must provide public access to court records and hearings, marking a transparency victory.
The ruling followed ProPublica's suit alleging Navy secrecy violated the First Amendment and requires access to nonclassified records within deadlines, with ProPublica's legal team from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP.
The Navy had withheld over 99% of court records under its previous policy.