Watkins et al v. Lawrence County, Arkansas et al

Filing 25

PROTECTIVE ORDER. Signed by Judge D. P. Marshall Jr. on 10/16/2018. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
CLEO WATKINS, PYLES FAMILY FARMS, LLC,
VICTOR HUTCHERSON, AL VELLA
HUTCHERSON, HELEN KNIGHT,
MICHAEL WATKINS, BETTY WATKINS,
& GEORGE CARNEY

v.

PLAINTIFFS

NO.3:17-cv-272-DPM

LAWRENCE COUNTY, ARKANSAS,
JOHN THOMISON, in his official capacity as
County Judge of LAWRENCE COUNTY,
ARKANSAS, and WILLIAM POWELL,
DONALD RICHEY, LLOYD CLARK,
HEATH DAVIS, ERNEST BRINER,
RONALD INGRAM, TRACY MOORE,
KENNY JONES, & ALEX LATHAM
DEFENDANT, in their official capacities as
members of the LA WREN CE COUNTY
QUORUM COURT

DEFENDANTS

PROTECTIVE ORDER
Lawrence County seeks copies of Plaintiffs' tax records for a period of several years.
Plaintiffs ask the Court to protect these documents from public disclosure. If Plaintiffs submit these
confidential documents to Lawrence County' s care without a protective order, there is a possibility
they would be subject to disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. These
documents are sensitive and highly confidential. No individual outside of the parties in this case
needs to see these tax records.
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act exempts documents that are subject to a
protective order from public disclosure. Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(b)(8). Lawrence County and

its officials shall not disclose any Plaintiff's tax records to any individual not a party to this suit.
Lawrence County must return all of Plaintiffs ' tax information within one year of the resolution of
this suit, regardless of the ultimate outcome. The Court retains jurisdiction to revolve any dispute
about these records during that one-year period.

Thereafter, the obligations imposed shall

continue, but shall be solely a matter of contract between the parties.
So Ordered.

~di J.
D.P. Marshall J/.'
United States District Judge

t & oelv l.iA. 2.P I 8

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