Pennsylvania law sections 8723-8725 establish the procedures and limitations for accessing and disclosing confidential information related to ongoing criminal investigations. Judges may grant access through court orders if certain conditions are met, and disclosures are restricted to specific contexts. Penalties apply for improper disclosure of confidential information.
Any judge of the Commonwealth Court can grant access if the petitioner is engaged in an ongoing criminal investigation and the information is reasonably related to that investigation.
Disclosures are limited to persons directly involved in the investigation, and for specific entities like the Attorney General, Crime Commission, or legislative committees, within defined contexts such as proceedings, reports, or meetings.
Anyone who discloses confidential information outside the authorized circumstances may face criminal penalties, including fines or other legal sanctions.
The court order must specifically limit the disclosure of confidential information as outlined in the law, ensuring proper restrictions are in place.