TNT Editorial: Retain Court Records

"It’s time for Washington’s municipal and district courts to join the Information Age.
These courts of limited jurisdiction handle a vast number of cases – everything from traffic tickets to serious misdemeanors. The sheer volume of those cases, and the relatively minor nature of the offenses they involve, resulted in the widespread practice of shredding criminal files after a short time (three years is the current state standard). That’s not long enough. Consider the 1992 weapons conviction of Terapon Dang Adhahn – the man now charged with the murder of Zina Linnik – in Tacoma Municipal Court."

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/117988.html