The North Dakota Attorney General announced on June 2 that the Williams County Sheriff’s Office did not violate state law by refusing to release certain records requested under North Dakota Century Code section 44-04-18. The decision follows a request from Dustin Hendricks, who asked whether the Sheriff’s Office improperly withheld records under section 12-44.1-28.
According to the opinion, the records in question were considered exempt or confidential under N.D.C.C. § 12-44.1-28, and therefore, the Sheriff’s Office was within its rights to withhold them. “It is my opinion that the Sheriff’s Office did not violate N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18 by refusing to release records which are exempt or confidential under N.D.C.C. § 12-44.1-28,” said North Dakota Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley.
The request for an official opinion was made pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1, which allows individuals to seek clarification from the Attorney General regarding open records and meetings laws in North Dakota.
Media inquiries regarding this matter can be directed to Suzie Weigel at 701.328.2210.
