Sealing of divorce pleadings is unconstitutional

In 2004, the California legislature enacted a law requiring a court to seal any divorce pleading after a party made such a request. This would allow a party to seal any document that lists and provides the location or identifying information about the financial assets and liabilities of the parties.

The Court of Appeal ruled on January 20, 2006 that the statute is unconstitutional. The court held that the First Amendment provides a right of access to court records in divorce proceedings, just as in other civil proceedings, and that the statute is an undue burden on that right. You can entire opinion here.