I was troubled to read Larisa Field's response regarding the fees the Catahoula Parish Clerk of Court's office is charging for online access to public records. Additionally troubling, Ms. Field does not address the fact that the paid online access only includes land records dating back to 1975, restricting digital access to other types of public documents and barring more comprehensive historical research.
While new technology can increase accessibility, it should not come at an additional cost to residents.
Ms. Field continues to refer to the paid online access as merely a 'convenience,' but for many citizens this is their only avenue to exercise their right to view public records. She states that records can still be accessed in person, ignoring the barriers faced by disabled residents or those without reliable transportation. These community members cannot easily travel to the Clerk's office to view records, making equitable online access essential. Ms. Field's perspective disregards underserved populations and deprives them of transparency. Her claim that the fees are necessary to fund operations also warrants scrutiny. Most other public information institutions do not charge the public simply to view records online. While there are costs associated with making records available electronically, limiting access through paywalls should never be the solution. If the Clerk's office lacks adequate funds, the local, state, or federal government should allocate sufficient resources to meet the needs of all constituents. Though legally established, charging fees merely to view records presents an additional hardship for underserved citizens, as detailed in my previous points. The lack of free access for all residents represents an ethical failure, even if permitted legally. I believe the spirit of public information laws is inclusion and transparency, not restriction. Public information access should not be restricted to only those able to pay.
Furthermore, Ms. Field touts 'free' indexes as an alternative, but these provide only fragments of records. Indexes alone do not provide full transparency without access to complete documents.
Citizens have a right to the complete picture when seeking public information.
Ultimately, access to public records is a right - not a luxury for those able to pay extra fees. I strongly urge Ms. Field to rethink her current approach. Charging additional access fees should be an absolute last resort, not the default option. Her office must prioritize making these records genuinely accessible to all. There are ethical ways to enhance online offerings without disproportionately burdening disabled and low-income communities. I hope Ms. Field reconsiders utilizing technology to increase inclusion rather than maintain barriers.
If elected, I pledge to work tirelessly to provide full, free online access to public records for all our citizens. Achieving this will likely be a multi-year process, but it remains a moral imperative. In the interim, I will implement alternative search and request options to serve vulnerable community members unable to access records online or in-person. No one should pay extra fees simply to exercise their right to public information. I appreciate the immense support I have received during this campaign. On October 14th, I humbly ask for your vote so that I can champion inclusion, transparency and equity as your next Clerk of Court. Together, we can break down barriers and uphold access for all.
Ronnie Lee Mizell, Jr.
Catahoual Parish Clerk of Court Candidate Paid for by Ronnie Lee Mizell, Jr.
