City of Riverdale, Iowa v. Allen Diercks, Marie Randol, and Tammie Picton

WATERMAN, Justice.

“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” Justice Louis Brandéis, What Publicity Can Do, Harper’s Weekly, Dec. 20, 1913. This concept animates state and federal laws allowing public scrutiny of government records — shining the light of day on the actions of our public officials deters misconduct that thrives in darkness. But open records laws are complex, replete with valid exceptions, and subject to abuse by serial requesters. Citizens and public officials sometimes must turn to the courts to resolve disputes over access to information. Statutory attorney-fee…