FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION » Asked & Answered

A&A: Can an individual publish a legal notice in a newspaper??

1stamendmnt — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:23:15 +0000

Q: Is there any legal reason why an individual would not be allowed to place a paid legal notice in a newspaper? The content is to inform the public about a woman being unlawfully tormented and hunted in the judicial system. A: I believe you are asking whether a newspaper that publishes legal notices is [...]

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A&A: Can newspaper publish captured police-scanner audio of gunfight?

1stamendmnt — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:00:25 +0000

Q: We have a recording of police scanner traffic detailing the response to the gunfight between Sheriff’s deputies and Chris Dorner–the ex-LAPD police officer and former United States Navy reservist who was charged in connection with a series of shooting attacks on police officers. We recalled a challenge to being able to post such information [...]

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A&A: Does the CPRA cover CA Energy Commission applicants?

1stamendmnt — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:00:53 +0000

Q: Tricky CPRA question regarding photos taken during a study undertaken by an an applicant for a California Energy Commission license. The company submitted a report, but CEC staff had many questions, and wanted photos, notes, data from the study, and to speak with the biologist who conducted it; staff requested a subpoena for the [...]

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A&A: When is a non-profit board subject to the Brown Act?

1stamendmnt — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:00:43 +0000

Q: I am Chief of Staff at a hospital that is part of a nationwide health care service, and an ex officio member of the hospital Board. Hospital executives have twice dismissed me from the Board room while they conducted official business in my absence. (I am the only Board member not appointed by the [...]

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A&A: Redevelopment Agency becomes “private corporation” not covered by Brown Act?

1stamendmnt — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:00:20 +0000

Q: Two years, ago, our city manager created a private, non-profit corporation in an effort to replace the city’s soon-to-be defunct redevelopment agency. The CEO is an Asst. City Manager and the Board of Directors are comprised of former city council members and other on various city commissions, etc. Plus, the RCDC uses city planning [...]

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A&A: Can criminal background checks on county candidates be kept confidential?

1stamendmnt — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:41:09 +0000

Q: The County Board of Supervisors announced it will conduct a criminal and financial background check on the individual it selects to fill an open elected position for the clerk-recorder/registrar of voters. The county manager and county counsel say the results of these checks will not be public documents pursuant to the penal code which [...]

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A&A: Accessing reports on police officer involved shooting

1stamendmnt — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:29:21 +0000

Q: For the last few weeks, I’ve been investigating an officer-involved shooting: Needless to say, there are ton of issues involved here, but I keep running into walls finding documents because of the Peace Officer’s Bill of Rights here in Calif. I wondered if you could give me a call for a few minutes and [...]

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A&A: Rules for noticing city council study session

1stamendmnt — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:24:46 +0000

Q: City Council posted a notice for a Special Meeting (Study Session). Then during the “meeting” it was referred to as a workshop and there was no record of the meeting kept. Study sessions have audios and council meetings are televised. Additionally, there is a pdf that lists the “consensus” of the council regarding chartering [...]

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A&A: Does Brown Act allow public meeting recordings to be destroyed?

1stamendmnt — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:00:47 +0000

Q: We are a small community of citizens trying to find our way dealing with a public board that we believe gave us no equal consideration. We are seeking assistance in requesting copies of e-mails from a county board. We believe that the decision made during a meeting was a result of a Brown Act [...]

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A&A: CPRA request for state agency’s contracts granted, but price-tag redacted

1stamendmnt — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:00:21 +0000

Q: I’m a journalist researching the CA Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board’s relationship with a particular company that supplies one type of specialized medical insurance for the state. I recently sent the Insurance Board a public records request for various documents, including a request for the state’s contract with the firm. I was sent the [...]

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