Legal Scales Key Definitions

Public Record - includes, but is not limited to, any writing containing information relating to the conduct or administration of the public’s business prepared, owned, used or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics.

Writing - includes, but is not limited to, handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostatting, photographing and every means of recording, including letters, words, pictures, sounds or symbols or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums or other documents.

Inspect - means the right to listen to, view and make notes of public records as long as the public record is not altered or damaged.

Copy - means transcribing by handwriting, photocopying, duplicating machine, and reproducing by any other means so long as the public record is not altered or damaged.

Custodian - means the person having personal custody and control of the public records in question. If no such designation is made by the public agency, then custodian means any public official having custody of, control of, or authorized access to public records and includes all delegates of such officials, employees or representatives.

Please see Idaho Code § 9-337 for a complete list of definitions.