Documents Which Reveal the Identity of Sex Offense Victims Are Categorically Excluded from Disclosure Under the Civil Rights Law and Public Officers Law (Even If the Identifying Information Can Be Redacted)

The Third Department determined petitioner’s request for evidence held by the district attorney’s office was properly denied.  The requested evidence consisted of chat logs and the contents of computers which identified the victims of sex offenses. The court noted that, even if the identification could be reacted, the documents are categorically excluded from disclosure under the Civil Rights Law and Public Officers Law.  Matter of MacKenzie v Seiden, 2015 NY Slip Op 04537, 3rd Dept 5-28-15