Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that people who win lawsuits over public records can collect attorneys fees from the state, even when they are acting as their own lawyers.

The state wants to make sure that money isn’t an obstacle for people who want to see public records or to sue over civil rights.

In this case, Portland Attorney Craig Colby requested an autopsy report after police shot a man outside Colby’s home. The state refused to provide the report, so Colby filed a public records suit on his own behalf.

An appeals court said Colby couldn’t collect about $9000 to cover his time and expenses. But the State Supreme Court has just reversed that decision. 

Jeff Dobbins directs the Oregon Law Commission. He says the decision strengthens Oregon’s public records law. 

Jeff Dobbins: "The ability to recover attorneys fees which presumably encourages people to bring these kinds of lawsuits and win in them, is that much more reinforced in the state."

A lower court still has to rule on whether Colby has a right to see the autopsy report.