I’ve previously noted that public bodies often have to deal with OPRA requestors who file an excessive number of requests or pursue frivolous OPRA litigation. A recent Appellate Division opinion shows that trial judges have the authority to stop this kind of conduct.

Garcia v. Bergen Prosecutor and NJ OAG involved a requestor who had made a number of invalid OPRA requests, and then litigated the ensuing denials, in connection with his fruitless efforts to overturn his murder conviction. The Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s denial of his latest OPRA (and common law) requests, which were invalid for a number of reasons.

Of particular interest here, the court also noted that the trial judge had granted the motion of the Bergen Prosecutor’s Office to preclude plaintiff from making future OPRA requests concerning his conviction, without getting court approval. The trial judge determined that, pursuant to a judge’s “inherent authority to prevent the filing of frivolous litigation,” prior court approval of the future filing of complaints was necessary.

The Supreme Court said years ago that the courts have the power to grant applications by public bodies to restrain requestors who file excessive, unreasonable public records requests. The Garcia case and a 2018 case show that some trial courts recognize the need to exercise this power to protect the public against burdensome and frivolous OPRA requests and litigation.