An editorial in today's Charlotte Observer calls for a district court to stop giving NASCAR chairman Brian France special treatment in a contract dispute with his ex-wife Megan. The Observer says, "The question is whether the rich and famous should be given special treatment by the courts that is out of reach for regular folks." You see, when regular folks ask a judge to seal all of the documents in a routine trial, the judge usually gives them this face.

Per the Observer:

The N.C. Constitution spells out that "all courts shall be open," and the N.C. Supreme Court has made clear the public's presumptive right of access to court records. Our society has repeatedly reaffirmed that the benefits of an open court system outweigh an individual's desire for privacy. Most defendants, and even many plaintiffs, in civil and criminal cases alike would prefer that their cases not become public. But this nation determined long ago that secrecy in judicial proceedings was a dangerous path.

Yesterday in Scene Daily, Jeremy Mayfield's lawyer said that he has requested "more documents on the way NASCAR Chairman Brian France conducts his life and his driving record - similar to some of the requests NASCAR has made of Mayfield."

So, there's also that.

Give France no special treatment in family court (Charlotte Observer)

Related links:
Lawyers for Observer and WCNC call for openness in secretive France case
Brian France's secret legal troubles