BB&K’s New Law Guidance for a Well-Informed Start to 2023 -
In Part Four of our “In With the New” series, Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Advanced Records Center (ARC) team covers important new legislation and case law related...more
BB&K's New Law Guidance for a Happy New Year -
In Part Two of our “In With the New” series, BB&K’s ARC: Advanced Records Center team covers important new legislation and case law related to the California Public Records...more
Access Depends on if Record Request is from “Elected Official” or “Member of the Public” -
As local public agencies welcome newly elected officials, it can be unclear whether the newcomers are entitled to unfettered access...more
New CPRA Case Law and Legislation for 2021 -
While an expansive array of records can be sought via a California Public Records Act request, the right to inspect public records is not without limits. The CPRA does not give...more
A California Appellate Court Draws a Distinction between the Power of a Court to Rule —“Jurisdiction”— and the Proper Place for a CPRA Suit —“Venue”
Any trial court in the state may have jurisdiction over a California...more
California Public Agencies Struggle with CPRA Compliance -
Public agencies are likely grappling with California Public Records Act request challenges — especially deadlines and document access limitations — during the...more
While the California Legislature included investigatory privilege as an exemption within the California Public Records Act, there are exceptions to this exemption. In this Best Best & Krieger LLP webinar, attorneys Christine...more
1/21/2020
/ Audio Recording ,
California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) ,
Criminal Investigations ,
Criminal Records ,
Exceptions ,
Exemptions ,
Law Enforcement ,
Municipalities ,
Public Disclosure ,
Public Records ,
Public Records Act ,
State and Local Government ,
Video Recordings
Part 2: New CPRA Laws for 2020 -
While an expansive array of records can be sought via a California Public Records Act request, the right to inspect public records is not without limits. The CPRA does not give unlimited...more
1/16/2020
/ Attorney-Client Privilege ,
Ballots ,
California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) ,
Constructive Possession ,
Exemptions ,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ,
Municipalities ,
Public Agencies ,
Public Disclosure ,
Public Records ,
Public Records Act ,
Request For Information ,
San Francisco ,
State and Local Government ,
Undocumented Immigrants
Part 1: New CPRA Laws for 2020 -
While an expansive array of records can be sought via a California Public Records Act request, the right to inspect public records is not without limits. The CPRA does not give unlimited...more
1/16/2020
/ Audio Recording ,
Body Worn Cameras ,
California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) ,
Charter Schools ,
Educational Institutions ,
Law Enforcement ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Police ,
Police Dash-Cameras ,
Police Misconduct ,
Public Disclosure ,
Public Records ,
Public Records Act ,
Request For Information ,
State and Local Government ,
Tribal Lands ,
Video Recordings
LAPD Agrees to Requirements Significantly Beyond the CPRA -
The Los Angeles Police Department and the American Civil Liberties Union settled a lawsuit brought last week that alleged widespread and systemic violations of...more
10/9/2019
/ American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ,
California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) ,
LAPD ,
Law Enforcement ,
Public Access Laws ,
Public Records ,
Public Records Act ,
Records Request ,
Regulatory Violations ,
Settlement Agreements ,
State and Local Government
ARC’s Christine Wood Discusses Calif. Public Records Act Updates in Riverside Lawyer Magazine -
A public agency’s release of public records is a hot button issue for policy wonks, community advocates and conspiracy...more
A trial court has issued a conflicting decision on a controversial new California law that makes some police records publicly available. Public agencies, though, should continue to follow the ruling made previously by an...more
In the first decision by a higher court on a controversial new law that makes some police personnel records available under the Public Records Act, a California appellate court ruled that Senate Bill 1421 applies to records...more
A recent California appellate court decision underscores the sanctity of the attorney-client privilege — holding that even an in camera review of claimed privileged communications is not permitted. This applies even though a...more
A city’s ability to access electronically stored data does not equal possession of that data under the Public Records Act, a California appellate court recently ruled....more
In September 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 1421, amending sections of California's Penal Code to allow the public to obtain some peace and custodial officer (collectively, peace officer) records with a...more
In the first court ruling on Senate Bill 1421, a judge held that the new California law only applies prospectively, but still requires disclosure of pre-2019 police personnel records in response to Public Record Act requests...more
While an almost exhaustive amount of information can be sought via a Public Records Act request, the right to inspect public records is not without limits. ...more
The State Bar of California does not have to create records to fulfill a request for bar applicant data under the Public Records Act, an appellate court decided. ...more
A Public Records Act requester is not entitled to attorneys’ fees from a public agency when a third party intervenes to stop the agency from producing the requested records, a California appellate court recently ruled. Third...more
When does a public employee’s personal privacy interests outweigh the public’s right to access records?
Originally Published in PublicCEO - July 18,2018....more
Although it may not feel like it, public employees and elected officials still maintain their rights to privacy and free speech, but is there a bright line? In this webinar, Best Best & Krieger LLP attorneys HongDao Nguyen...more
It’s no secret: Public agencies are inundated with files.
A rise in digital records coupled with the use of personal devices, email accounts and diverse communication channels has lead electronic records to become...more
In this webinar, Best Best & Krieger LLP attorney Christine Wood explains how public agencies can create an email retention policy that helps reduce PRA production costs. This webinar covers the basics of a good email...more
Reversing a lower court, a California appellate court found that a newspaper could recover attorneys’ fees under the Private Attorney General Statute in a Public Records Act suit. The Second District Court of Appeal decision...more