Date:
11/19/2020
Subject:
Christine Warth/Henry County Sheriff Office - Dismissal Order
Opinion:
The Iowa Public Information Board
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In re the Matter of: Christine Warth, Complainant And Concerning: Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Respondent |
Case Number: 20FC:0104
Dismissal Order
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COMES NOW, Margaret E. Johnson, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Dismissal Order:
On October 12, 2020, Christine Warth filed formal complaint 20FC:0104, alleging that the Henry County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff) violated Iowa Code chapter 22.
Ms. Warth alleged that the Sheriff violated Iowa Code chapter 22 when the office posted her arrest information on the VINE website and on the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) website on October 3, 2020.
VINE is a victim notification network system utilized nationwide. The program allows people to access information about offenders or arrestees from jails and prisons in the United States. When an individual is arrested and booked into a jail, information about the individual is posted through this program. The records created by the VINE website (www.vinelink.com) are public records.
The Iowa Department of Corrections also maintains information about individuals booked into jails and prisons in Iowa at https://doc.iowa.gov/offender/search. These records are also considered public records.
In response, the Sheriff indicated that the jail software automatically shares booking information with the VINE and DOC systems.
Ms. Warth has not provided any information to allege a violation of Iowa Code chapter 22.
Iowa Code section 23.8 requires that a complaint be within the IPIB’s jurisdiction, appear legally sufficient, and have merit before the IPIB accepts a complaint. This complaint does not meet those requirements.
IT IS SO ORDERED: Formal complaint 20FC:0104 is dismissed as legally insufficient and without merit pursuant to Iowa Code section 23.8(2) and Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(2)(b).
Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(3), the IPIB may “delegate acceptance or dismissal of a complaint to the executive director, subject to review by the board.” The IPIB will review this Order on November 19, 2020. Pursuant to IPIB rule 497-2.1(4), the parties will be notified in writing of its decision.
By the IPIB Executive Director
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Margaret E. Johnson
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
This document was sent by electronic mail on the ___ day of November, 2020, to:
Christine Warth
Rick McNamee, Henry County Sheriff