Judge tosses Cherry Hill schools’ lawsuit targeting records requester

Key points

• Judge found no evidence that the records requester engaged in harassment as claimed by Cherry Hill schools
• The dismissal cited anti-SLAPP-style protections meant to prevent court-assisted censorship of records requests
• The ruling reinforces legal protections for public records seekers under New Jersey law
• Cherry Hill schools' attempt to use litigation to limit records access was unsuccessful

FAQ

What was Cherry Hill schools suing the records requester for?

Cherry Hill Public Schools claimed the records requester was engaged in harassment through their public records requests, but the judge found insufficient evidence to support these allegations.

What legal principle did the judge apply?

The judge applied legal protections designed to prevent the court system from being used as a tool to censor or suppress legitimate public records requests and freedom of information activities.

How does this affect future records requests?

The ruling reinforces that school districts cannot use litigation to discourage or block residents from submitting Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests, protecting public access to educational information.