Jessica:   The rules must be justified if you ask for the justification.  Rules cannot be arbitrary or capricious.  If "rules" exist in a court building, then find out why.  Ask.  That is what I've advocated.  If you don't do your research and understand the difference between "the rules" and the rule of law, then you proceed at your own peril. 

  Robert:  valid point and interesting too.  I understand the meaning of the term "authorization" as you must also, so that makes your point a bit moot in this context.  Additionally, the use of legal online services that have an affect of exercising an individual right to privacy does not create a liability on the part of those using it in due course for lawful, public records access. 

  By the logic here, I should be in jail for eating at the Recorders Office where they have a "No food or drink" sign placed on the table in front of me.  The fact that the Recorder has called me on it and I am a diabetic protected under the ADA (since last June's change in the law), was clearly something they didn't see coming, but pre-empts their ability to enforce such mindless crap against me (it's a reasonable accommodation to my need to maintain an proper blood glucose-insulin balance).

  I'd hate to be that type of lawyer who only seeks to defend the power of the state at the cost of individual liberty.