copyright privacy administrative-law
May I publish hearing documents in a book and on the web?
<p>I have been involved, <em>pro se</em>, in a special education impartial hearing on behalf of my son.  I would like to publish some parts of the hearing documents in articles on the web and in a book.  Is that allowed?  Here is a list of all the documents I might like to draw upon (I would redact identifying features and use pseudonyms for names):</p>

<ul>
<li><p>My exhibits, which include my son's educational records, email correspondence with the district, and my hearing request letter</p></li>
<li><p>The hearing transcript <em>(I contacted the transcription service to see if they mind; the manager is out this week but they will get back to me when she is back)</em></p></li>
<li><p>My closing argument</p></li>
<li><p>The district's closing argument</p></li>
<li><p>The hearing officer's decision (which will be posted on the state education department's website in a few months, with our names redacted, but with the name of the hearing officer not redacted)</p></li>
<li><p>My petition of appeal to the state review office, with memorandum of law and the entire email correspondence the district lawyer and I had with the hearing officer as an additional exhibit (note, the district lawyer and I were required to cc each other on all of that correspondence)</p></li>
<li><p>The district's Answer to the state review office, with a memorandum of law</p></li>
<li><p>My Reply to the Answer</p></li>
<li><p>The review officer's decision, which will eventually be posted on the state education department's website</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I plan to use pseudonyms for my son and me and the rest of our family.</p>

<p>I noticed that some hearing officer decisions and some review office decisions include last names of district witnesses.  I think that ethically I should omit them, even if the state doesn't redact them.</p>

<p>Many states prohibit revealing the identity of a minor in a proceeding, and you indicate that you would also do so. Otherwise, they are public records and there is generally no prohibition on disclosing them.</p>
