Answer:
b. False
Government files containing vital statistics, marriage licenses, civil suit records, and probate records are generally considered public records and can be used to obtain information for a lawsuit.
Explanation:
Government files such as vital statistics, marriage licenses, civil suit records, and probate records are typically public records, meaning they are accessible to the public. These records are often maintained by government agencies and can provide crucial information for various legal purposes, including lawsuits. Here’s a brief explanation of each type of record:
1. **Vital Statistics**: These include birth and death certificates, which can be necessary for establishing identity, age, or next of kin.
2. **Marriage Licenses**: These can prove the legal relationship between individuals, which might be relevant in cases involving inheritance, divorce, or family law.
3. **Civil Suit Records**: These contain information about previous or ongoing civil litigation, which can be used to understand legal history, precedent, or the details of previous court decisions.
4. **Probate Records**: These deal with the distribution of a deceased person's estate and can provide information about wills, heirs, and the handling of the estate.
Public access to these records can vary by jurisdiction, but they are generally accessible through formal requests or public records searches, making them valuable sources of information for legal proceedings.