Mark S. Buckner, Sr. v. West Tallahatchie School District

Summary

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi addresses West Tallahatchie School District’s motion to restrict an exhibit containing the plaintiff’s full Social Security number. Although the motion did not comply with all applicable Local Rule 79 requirements, the court granted it because the privacy interests outweighed public access concerns and a redacted substitute exhibit had been filed.

Holdings

1. A court may excuse noncompliance with Local Rule 79 when the filing contains a full Social Security number and the interests favoring nondisclosure clearly outweigh the public's right of access, particularly where a redacted substitute has been filed.
2. Access to the unredacted exhibit containing Buckner's full Social Security number should be restricted from the public and limited to the parties, counsel of record, and the court.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should deny the School District's motion to restrict an exhibit because the motion failed to comply with the procedural requirements of Local Rule 79.
2. Whether the court should nevertheless restrict public access to an exhibit containing Buckner's full Social Security number.

Disposition

other