Test Your Knowledge Of The N.J. Open Public Records ACT

1. Is the public allowed to find out what the local schools superintendent’s salary is?

Yes

No

Salaries of public employees are public records.

Explanation

Salaries of public employees are public records.

2. Are Social Security numbers protected from disclosure under OPRA?

Yes

No

OPRA requires that such personal information, including credit card and driver license numbers, be blacked out on any records handed out.

Explanation

OPRA requires that such personal information, including credit card and driver license numbers, be blacked out on any records handed out.

3. Can your local government charge whatever it wants for you to copy a public report?

Yes

No

The law says fees for records should reflect the actual cost of copying. Most agencies charge between 25 to 75 cents per page, depending on the number of copies. A recent court ruling could lower some of those fees.

Explanation

The law says fees for records should reflect the actual cost of copying. Most agencies charge between 25 to 75 cents per page, depending on the number of copies. A recent court ruling could lower some of those fees.

4. Can the public obtain computerized records instead of getting paper copies?

Yes

No

As long as the agency keeps the requested records in computer format, the public can obtain them on a CD-ROM or other electronic format.

Explanation

As long as the agency keeps the requested records in computer format, the public can obtain them on a CD-ROM or other electronic format.

5. Does the attorney-client privilege prevent the public from seeing lawyer bills for government agencies?

Yes

No

Government bills, including lawyer bills, are public records.

Explanation

Government bills, including lawyer bills, are public records.

6. Your mayor e-mails the business administrator from a city computer to discuss trash pickup changes. Is that message a public record?

Yes

No

Yes. E-mails concerning government business are public records.

Explanation

Yes. E-mails concerning government business are public records.

7. Do people denied access to public records have to hire an attorney and sue in order to fight the denial?

Yes

No

They can appeal to the state Government Records Council for a decision or to have the matter arbitrated. However, there are long waits for council decisions.

Explanation

They can appeal to the state Government Records Council for a decision or to have the matter arbitrated. However, there are long waits for council decisions.

8. Are police required to tell the public when a crime has been committed?

Yes

No

If no arrest has been made, police should tell within 24 hours the type of crime committed, the time, location and type of weapon. With an arrest, police should provide the charges, defendant's name, age, residence, occupation, marital status and other information.

Explanation

If no arrest has been made, police should tell within 24 hours the type of crime committed, the time, location and type of weapon. With an arrest, police should provide the charges, defendant's name, age, residence, occupation, marital status and other information.

9. The public can read correspondence sent to local government agencies. Does it have the same right regarding the state Legislature?

Yes

No

The Legislature exempted itself from that OPRA provision.

Explanation

The Legislature exempted itself from that OPRA provision.

10. Does OPRA apply to New Jersey courts?

Yes

No

However, the state’s courts have liberalized their public records access in the past year.

Explanation

However, the state’s courts have liberalized their public records access in the past year.

Test Your Knowledge Of The N.J. Open Public Records ACT

1. Is the public allowed to find out what the local schools superintendent’s salary is?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. Are Social Security numbers protected from disclosure under OPRA?

3. Can your local government charge whatever it wants for you to copy a public report?

4. Can the public obtain computerized records instead of getting paper copies?

5. Does the attorney-client privilege prevent the public from seeing lawyer bills for government agencies?

6. Your mayor e-mails the business administrator from a city computer to discuss trash pickup changes. Is that message a public record?

7. Do people denied access to public records have to hire an attorney and sue in order to fight the denial?

8. Are police required to tell the public when a crime has been committed?

9. The public can read correspondence sent to local government agencies. Does it have the same right regarding the state Legislature?

10. Does OPRA apply to New Jersey courts?