VIDEO: Attorney Jeff Portnoy On The Fight For Misconduct Records

By /

In 1994, University of Hawaii journalism students went to court to gain access to police disciplinary files. Honolulu attorney Jeff Portnoy represented them for free.

The courts sided with the young journalists but the police got the Legislature to grant them an exemption that’s still in place today.

Portnoy vividly remember the day in 1994 he had to push his way past a hundred cops to get into Judge Lim’s courtroom.

Keep us brave and independent

The stories that Civil Beat dares to write take time, resources and sometimes, a healthy dose of bravery. But weʻre not afraid because our responsibility is to bring issues to you.

Your support ensures that we can remain independent and uncover the stories that, as one reader recently said, “would remain hidden otherwise.” Because if we don’t do it, who will?

Give now

About the Author