Nick and Jessica -- Don't Shut Me Out

I am inviting the wrath of TMZ users by even raising the issue, but here goes. We have the right to know how Jessica and Nick resolve their fight over money.

In this country, court hearings are public -- it's so important, it's constitutional. The reason is simple -- if judges know people are looking, they won't abuse their authority.

The biggest legal shell game in Hollywood these days has been celebrities hiring retired judges to hear their divorces. The retired judges hear the cases in their law offices, with no one watching.

Last year, TMZ began pressing the matter with the L.A. County courts. We found a law that says these hearings must be public, and it seems the big wigs in charge of the courts now agree.

So back to the question -- is it right for us to watch and report about a celebrity couple's legal fight over money? I'm sure some of you say, "Who cares," or "It's none of your frickin' business." But the point behind open trials is that once you start making exceptions, where do you draw the line? Close the trial of Jessica Simpson. Then, close the trial of Kobe Bryant. Then, close the trial of accused terrorists.