Supporters maintain sealing records would protect people's right to privacy; opponents say it would create transparency ...

House Bill 1166 would seal criminal court records ... (Editor's note: The Bismarck Tribune is a member of the North Dakota Newspaper Association.) ...

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Davrick Hayes, a 31-year-old quality assurance analyst and entrepreneur based in Bismarck, North Dakota. It's been edited for length and clarity.

BISMARCK — A North Dakota bill to automatically seal certain court records cleared the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 21, with a "do pass" recommendation after amendments.