MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont’s commissioner of Public Safety says civil traffic tickets are public records from the time state police troopers issue them, even if they contain the name of a juvenile.
The determination last week by Commissioner Thomas Anderson overturned attempts by the state police, which he oversees, to keep secret details of an Aug. 7 traffic ticket issued to a 16-year-old driver.
The police press about the Interstate 91 stop did not contain the name of the driver, noting the driver received a juvenile criminal citation and civil ticket.
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The Burlington Free Press (https://bfpne.ws/2exgygx) reports freelance journalist Mike Donoghue asked for a copy of the ticket. His request was denied because it was part of a criminal investigation.
Anderson ruled the Public Records Act does not exempt civil tickets from disclosure.
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Information from: The Burlington Free Press, https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com
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