~ fight to get Las Vegas police reports ~

If you ask for police reports or court files in Las Vegas you may get the third degree.

A new policy in Las Vegas Justice Court limiting access to police reports and other public records is under fire from advocates of open government. The problem came to light when a Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter tried to access a court file in Justice Court and was told he had to fill out a special form.

The form requires those seeking access to a case file to identify themselves as a media member, a criminal defendant, a defense attorney or "other."

Allen Lichtenstein, an attorney who represents the American Civil Liberties Union, said certain information in criminal prosecutions and investigations must remain confidential.

But under the law, he said, the public is entitled to access police reports and other documents.