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Professor Hobbs Discusses Arguments for Opening Bentley Divorce File

September 15, 2015

Motions filed Monday by state media outlets to unseal Gov. Robert Bentley’s divorce proceedings argue the case file should be open to the public because most of the state’s divorce cases are open.

Professor Steven Hobbs recently told the The Decatur Daily the best argument to unseal the Bentley files may be because it involves the highest elected official in the state.

“I think that the court has the power to seal the record,” Hobbs said. “The question is is there anything that could be related to his public job in the record.”

Hobbs, who specializes in family law, said another unknown is if Dianne Bentley’s divorce petition contains something the public should know that could interfere with the governor fulfilling his duties.

For more, read “Decatur Daily Among State Media Seeking To Unseal Bentley Divorce Proceedings.”


The University of Alabama School of Law strives to remain neutral on issues of public policy. The Law School’s communications team may facilitate interviews or share opinions expressed by faculty, staff, students, or other individuals regarding policy matters. However, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Law School, the University, or affiliated leadership.