Michael Berry

September 30, 2005 | The Legal Intelligencer

When asked at his recent confirmation hearing whether he supported allowing television cameras in federal courtrooms, Chief Justice John Roberts joked that former Senator (and current Law and Order star) Fred Thompson assured him that television cameras are nothing to be afraid of. For politicians and actors, that may be true, but what about for the federal judiciary?

By Michael Berry

8 minute read

August 30, 2005 | The Legal Intelligencer

On Aug. 12, the Commonwealth Court ruled that Joe Paterno's salary is public information. The ruling made news around the state as Penn State football faithful undoubtedly wanted to know how much money Paterno is paid and whether his salary has taken a hit after a string of disappointing seasons. Whatever Paterno makes, Nittany Lion fans will certainly be talking when the information is finally disclosed. But the whole state should be talking about the court decision requiring Joe Pa's salary to be released

By Michael Berry

7 minute read

May 23, 2008 | The Legal Intelligencer

Earlier this year, Pennsylvania's General Assembly passed a new Right-to-Know Law that dramatically changes the rules governing the public's access to government records. The biggest change is the new law's express mandate that government records are presumed to be open to the public.

By Michael Berry

7 minute read

January 09, 2006 | The Legal Intelligencer

Shortly after President Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court, the high court agreed to hear a case in which a 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel held that a prison regulation ran afoul of the First Amendment.

By Michael Berry

8 minute read

March 17, 2008 | The Legal Intelligencer

When Gov. Edward G. Rendell signed Pennsylvania's new Right-to-Know Law on Feb. 14, he declared that government in the Commonwealth is now "open for inspection." While the new law makes the government more transparent, any citizen seeking to exercise his

By Michael Berry

8 minute read