About the Case
MFIA is representing the Asociación de Periodistas de Puerto Rico (the Puerto Rico Journalists Association, or “ASPPRO”) to seek review of a high-profile case that has caused public outrage in Puerto Rico for several months.
When Andrea Cristina Ruiz Costas was murdered following repeated denials of court protection, a wave of public protests took place in San Juan. With epidemic levels of domestic violence in Puerto Rico, and promises by politicians to address the situation, the public wanted an explanation for why and how the courts had so failed Ruiz Costas.
MFIA’s client ASPPRO began proceedings to access recordings of the court decisions that denied protection to Ruiz Costas. Shortly thereafter, the Puerto Rico Supreme Court denied ASPPR’s request to access without mentioning the public’s First Amendment right of access to records of judicial proceedings.
On behalf of ASPPRO, MFIA has petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn the Puerto Rico court’s decision.