"The only valid objection I see is that there needs to be some process to protect the privacy of the people involved in the case." There already is: you can fi

"The only valid objection I see is that there needs to be some process to protect the privacy of the people involved in the case." There already is: you can file documents under seal or in redacted form. Most courts require you to do so if you're including information such as social security numbers. See, i.e. http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/invitationstocomment/documents/spr07-19.pdf http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/invitationstocomment/documents/s... Nothing that's available via PACER couldn't be read by walking down to the courthouse and requesting the physical file.