MINOT — A new law that just took effect here in North Dakota seals court records in concluded cases that don't result in a conviction. That would mean instances where the defendant was acquitted, or when charges were dismissed, or any other outcome that's not a guilty plea or verdict.

The argument in favor of the law is that it's not fair to the defendants to have those cases in the public record. After all, as a matter of law, if they aren't convicted of the charges against them, they are innocent. But if the cases are accessible, they may be judged for them anyway, especially in instances such as hiring or finding housing.

But what about transparency? What does sealing those records mean for the public and the news media's ability to scrutinize those cases to ensure that the acquitta

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