This would be possible of course, but they would not be able to do this remotely. The Nigerian and Rumanian scam artists would find it very difficult and expensive to send someone into the community, just as they did when the records were only to be found at the courthouse.

Since the local researchers are more likely to actually live and work in the counties they serve they have an interest in the security of the community and have a duty to know their clients. If it could be proven a local researher knowingly provided the crooks with information they used in the commission of a crime they could be prosecuted locally. In other words they could be held accountable. It is very difficult if not impossible for local authorities to hold anyone accountable who is 10,000 miles outside of their jurisdiction.

This system would also give counties an opportunity to know who is accessing the system. Apllications for access could only be made in person at the courthouse. Backgrounds and identities could be checked before granting access to the remote system. There are already laws on the books that take away a convicted felon's write to vote. Access should be granted only to those people who have not been convicted of a felony. Almost every state has in their open records and sunshine acts, clauses that prevent incarcerated criminals from accessing the public records. These laws might be extended to include prior convictions in regards to remote access through any system.