Tristram Kortam spent a year investigating and sending public records requests to find out whether a man was arrested and convicted based on a mistaken identity. When a law enforcement agency was slow to respond to Tristram’s public records request, he asked for the reason for the delay and cited cases identified by the First Amendment Foundation. Within two days, the law enforcement agency provided the records. Access to records — and timely access — is essential to accountability and oversight of law enforcement agencies.

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