Question
I have read the California Public Records Act and I have been unable to find a statute of limitations. Are you aware of any authorities that indicate how long a plaintiff has to sue under the CPRA?
Answer
The Public Records Act (“PRA” or the “Act”) does not provide for a statute of limitations for filing suit to enforce the provisions of the Act, and it is not entirely clear what statute of limitations might apply.
If you are considering litigation, however, I recommend that you seek specific legal advice from an attorney. You might consider using FAC’s Lawyer’s Assistance Request Form at http://firstamendmentcoalition.org/lawyers-assistance-request-form/
to find an attorney experienced in open records issues.
Holme Roberts & Owen LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to FAC hotline inquiries. In responding to these inquiries, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.
Asked & Answered posts should not be relied on as legal advice, and FAC makes no guarantees about their completeness or accuracy. All posts carry a date of publication that readers should take note of in assessing their usefulness, given that laws and interpretations of them may change over time. Posts predating Jan. 1, 2023, that discuss the California Public Records Act may contain statute numbers no longer in use. Please see this page for a table showing how the California Public Records Act has been renumbered.