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Q: It is election season in Pennsylvania and our newsroom wants to make sure we understand the laws governing access to polling places and election records and if there have been any changes since last year? A: Election practices vary by county, but all counties must adhere to Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Statutes, the…

Q: Is my online news site required to take down a previously posted deed transfer notice if the person involved has enrolled in a victim protection program in Pennsylvania? A: A member news organization recently fielded an unusual request. A woman identified as the purchaser in a routine county deed-transfer notice the news site had…

Q: We are getting political ads from state and federal candidates. What should we be looking for? Election season means a surge in political ad inquiries — and publications that sell space have their own legal obligations under federal law, separate from the candidate’s or committee’s responsibilities. Here’s a quick-reference guide organized by topic for…

Q: I want to review a private criminal complaint, but the magisterial district judge (MDJ) is telling me I can’t have a copy until the district attorney approves it. When do private criminal complaints become public records? A: The timing of public access depends on which agency holds the record, but private criminal complaints are…